The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Mr. Victor Olaiya, announced the arrest of two individuals linked to violent clashes over land disputes in the Lafiaji communities of the Edu local government area.
The conflict, which occurred during the past week, resulted in two fatalities and seven people suffering severe injuries.
Due to land conflicts, the two settlements that are encircled by the Edu Local Government Council offices, Gbugbu and Lafiagi, are typically at war.
Nevertheless, the police claimed to be in control of the situation and to have detained two people in relation to the event. Locals who discussed the situation on Thursday claimed that the crisis was the result of a protracted land dispute between the two settlements.
Tensions increased when it was rumored that a community leader intended to allocate the contested land to the Lema community.
This rumor alarmed the Ndeji people, leading to a violent clash between the two groups as they both attempted to safeguard their interests, which further intensified the conflict.
“The fight started when there was a rumour flying around that the Emir of Lafiagi was plotting to cede the land in dispute to the Lema people.
“And you know our people (Nupe tribe), they believe in charms and this is why they started the violence immediately after the rumour spread,” the source said.
He reported that the two deceased victims, identified as Mohammed Alhaji and Aliu Hussain, were killed while trying to protect an Imam in the community.
The source also mentioned that one of the victims was a student at Kwara State Polytechnic in Ilorin.
Kwara Commissioner of Police, Victor Olaiya, confirmed the incident to Punch Online, stating that it had been brought under control and peace had been restored in the area. Olaiya added that some suspects had been arrested and efforts were underway to apprehend additional suspects.
The Police Commissioner said, “Yes, it is true there was a communal clash between two communities sandwiched between Gbugbu and Lafiagi in Edu local government.
They were fighting over land, Two people were killed and about seven people were injured and have been taken to the hospital where they were receiving treatment.
“We want to assure members of the public of the safety of their lives and property.
The perpetrators are now in our custody, while an investigation is ongoing,” Olaiya said.
