The Ondo government has imposed a 24-hour dawn-to-dusk curfew on Ikare Akoko in Akoko Northeast local council following a breach of peace. 

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu imposed the curfew following a State Security Council meeting held on Thursday in Akure. 

“A 24-hour curfew has been imposed on Ikare-Akoko, headquarters of Akoko Northeast local government area of Ondo state, with immediate effect,” said the governor in a statement by his spokesman, Richard Olatunde. “Security agencies have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the order just as investigations are already on to unravel the real cause(s) of the violent clash.” 

Ikare Akoko, one of the popular commercial hubs in Ondo, has witnessed a violent clash in the past three days, with many residents scampering for safety as several people were reportedly killed and properties destroyed.

The melee started on Tuesday when some youths from a part of the town staged a New Year carnival, forcing the government to close down the town for any unauthorised human movement and activity until further notice. 

The town had been embroiled in supremacy battles between the Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadiri Momoh, and the Owa Ale of Iyometa, Oba Adeleke Adedoyin-Adegbite.

Last August, the Ondo government elevated the Owa-Ale to a first-class traditional ruler, giving the town two first-class monarchs.

Peoples Gazette gathered that the police commissioner in Ondo, Oyediran Oyeyemi, a few days ago held a meeting with the two rulers to ensure peace in the area. 

The meeting was at the instance of Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.