Fear gripped residents of Iwerele, Iwajowa Local Government Area of Oyo State, on Monday, as many were reportedly feared dead.
The tragedy occurred during a clash between Oodua Peoples Congress, Amotekun, Operation Burst, Soludero and a group of herdsmen.
While the reason for the conflict was still unclear, The Punch was reliably informed of the clash by a titled Chief in the community. The source said a group of herdsmen had invaded a farm in the community with their cattle and grazed on it, a situation which led to the demise of the owner of the farm during the argument.
It was further gathered that combined security operatives of Operation Burst, OPC, Amotekun and Soludero were informed to restore peace in the area but they were allegedly ambushed by herdsmen. The number of those killed is yet to be ascertained.
Before filing this report, efforts to get the state Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso’s reaction was not successful as he was not picking up his call nor responding to text messages sent to his mobile number. The unsettling development has been causing panic among residents of the affected community.