At least five people have been killed in a clash between Yoruba and Hausa traders in the Sabo area of Ife Central West Local Council Development Area of Osun State.
There are conflicting accounts of what caused the clash which began on Tuesday.
While a version say trouble started after a vehicle driven by a Yoruba man hit the wife of a Hausa trader, another claim it started between a Hausa man and Yoruba woman.
The rift snowballed into a major clash with residents and traders around the Lageere, Sabo and Obalufon area of the town scampering for safety.
Goods and property worth millions of naira were destroyed.
Some of those who sustained injuries were taken to the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Ile-Ife for medical attention.
Governor Rauf Aregbesola responded by deploying heavy security forces to the scene of the crisis on Wednesday.
A statement from the Office of the Governor, signed by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, assured of the readiness of the security forces to quell the face off which has led to the destruction of properties in affected area of the ancient city.
“This is to assure all and sundry that the breach of the peace in Ile Ife is not beyond the control of our highly mobilized security forces.
“To this end, the governor of the state of Osun, upon receiving reports of the fracas the exact cause of which is still under investigation, has ordered deployment of adequate security forces and is getting minute-by-minute situation reports.
“The Government therefore warns those involved in this act of criminal breach of public peace to end it immediately as the full weight of the law would be brought to bear on anyone arrested,” the statement said.
