2 killed in Ire-Ekiti over festival celebration

Two persons have been confirmed dead in Ire Ekiti, Oye Local Government, Ekiti State, during a crisis arising from the stoppage of the Ogun Onire festival in all communities in the state by the government due to COVID-19. Also, a vehicle belonging to the town’s monarch, Oba Victor Bobade, was said to have been set […]

Two persons have been confirmed dead in Ire Ekiti, Oye Local Government, Ekiti State, during a crisis arising from the stoppage of the Ogun Onire festival in all communities in the state by the government due to COVID-19.

Also, a vehicle belonging to the town’s monarch, Oba Victor Bobade, was said to have been set ablaze by some irate youths, who insisted that the festival must be celebrated this year.

Our correspondent learnt that the crisis started in the town on Sunday and continued till yesterday.

Governor Kayode Fayemi had directed all communities in the state to shun public celebration of all traditional festivals in his effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease in Ekiti State.

Daily Trust learnt that Oba Bobade, acting on the directive, told Ogun Onire adherents in the town to shelve this year’s celebration of the festival, an instruction that allegedly pitted him against some worshippers who insisted on celebrating it.

The disagreement between the worshippers and those supporting the monarch’s instruction was understood to have degenerated into a crisis on Sunday and worsened yesterday, resulting in violence and compelling the Ekiti State Police Commissioner, Mr Tunde Mobayo, to swiftly draft policemen there to control the situation.

A source told our correspondent that the two persons were hit by stray bullets fired during the mayhem.

The source, who gave her name simply as Anike, said, “We have been having a serious battle in the town since our monarch urged the Ogun Onire worshippers not to celebrate the traditional festival due to government’s directive on COVID-19.”

The Ekiti State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Sunday Abutu, confirmed that two persons were killed during the crisis.

“The people were protesting and probably a disagreement from the factions there led to the death of those persons. Investigations are on. Those involved in the act will be arrested and brought to book.

“The bodies of the two persons have been deposited in the morgue. We have been able to arrest one of the gang leaders and he is in our custody now,” Abutu said.