Kwara State police command has confirmed the death of at least four persons and several other injured persons at Kaara Market in Ajase-Ipo, Irepodun Local Government Area of the state.
The police in a statement signed by the command’s spokesperson, Okasanmi Ajayi, informed the people of the state, especially those active on Ilorin Ajase-Ipo/Offa road that normalcy had been restored, and the road cleared of every barrier created as a result of the misunderstanding between some people suspected to be members of OPC and cow dealers in Kaara market on Friday, August 12, 2022, at 18:30hrs.
According to him, “information received by Ajase-Ipo Divisional Police headquarters was to the effect that some OPC members in a convoy of about 20 vehicles believed to have been coming from Oshogbo, Osun State, were passing through the Kaara market where a cow being led across the road by its handler broke the side mirror of one of the OPC vehicles, which resulted in an argument that eventually escalated into an exchange of gun fire by both the OPC members and the cow dealers in the market. Four bodies of unidentified persons were recovered at the scene.
“The immediate deployment of detachments of police men and teams of conventional police men to the scene by the Commissioner of Police, Kwara State police command, Tuesday Assayomo, prevented the escalation and killings of more people.
“Meanwhile, the four unidentified dead bodies have been evacuated from the scene and deposited at the UITH mortuary, while the injured taken to the hospital in Ajase-Ipo for medical treatment. Police men have been stationed at the scene to prevent further break down of law and order.
“The Ajase Ipo-Offa road is now clear for movement of goods and services. Therefore, anybody who still goes there to cause lawlessness would be arrested and charged to court.
“The CP, therefore, advises that law-abiding citizens in the area and commuters should go about their lawful businesses without any fear of attack or harassment.”
