One person was reportedly killed while two houses were burned in a clash involving youths in Eyenkorin community, a suburb of Ilorin, in Asa Local Government of Kwara State on Tuesday morning.
Sources said that the crisis which began on Monday night between some cult members and the youths in the community claimed the life of a youth believed to have been killed by a cult group while two houses said to belong to the father of the leader of a rival cult group was set ablaze in retaliation for the death of their kinsman.
The youth group were said to have attacked the house of an elderly man believed to be the father of the leader of the cult group that allegedly killed the youth.
The incident was confirmed by the Police and the Kwara State Fire Service who were invited to put out the fire in the affected houses.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Victor Olaiya, who confirmed the incident said that Policemen had been deployed to the scene.
“Mobile men and tactical teams have been deployed and are presently on the ground, peace has been returned to the community, please. Thank you very much”, the CP said.
Kwara State Fire Service also confirmed the incident adding that two buildings were reduced to ashes in Eyenkorin, Asa Local Government, on Tuesday, 30th of April, 2024.
According to a statement signed by Hassan Adekunle, head of Media and Publicity of the state Fire Service, “One building, comprising six rooms, and another with four rooms, were completely razed by the fire. The inferno left nothing but ruins in its wake, a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of violence and hatred.
“Investigations revealed a sinister plot, as the inferno was deliberately set by rival groups clashing in a deadly confrontation. One life was lost, and the bereaved group exacted revenge by targeting the home of the opposing group’s leader, leaving two houses in ruins. In a cruel twist, the attackers prevented occupants and sympathizers from putting out the fire, ensuring maximum destruction”, the Fire Service said.
Adekunle said that the Director of the State Fire Service, Prince Falade John, extended condolences to the affected families and urged parents and guardians to instill good conduct in their wards to ensure a safe and peaceful society.
He emphasised the importance of community cohesion and conflict resolution, stressing that violence only leads to more suffering and devastation.