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Following a disagreement between supporters and opponents of Oba Oluleke Ogunlade, the Olubule of Ibule in Ifedore local government area of Ondo State, the annual New Yam Festival in the agrarian community was disrupted on Friday.
The festival, which traditionally marks the beginning of the yam harvest season, led to sporadic shootings between those for and against the town’s monarch.
Findings show that the selection process for Oba Oluleke Ogunlade is currently being challenged in court. Since his installation, there has been ongoing conflict between the monarch and some indigenes who claim the process that led to his emergence was fraudulent.
It was gathered that Oba Ogunlade had scheduled the new yam festival for August 25 to coincide with the first anniversary of his coronation. However, some indigenes were displeased, insisting that there was a specific traditional date for the celebration that could not be changed.
Trouble began when those opposing the monarch decided to hold their New Yam Festival on the traditional date, which they claimed was the correct one. The situation escalated as both the monarch and opposing families fixed different dates for the festival, causing palpable tension in the community.
A source told pressmen that early on Friday morning, indigenes set out for the celebration before a detachment of policemen and military personnel arrived to disperse them.
The source alleged that the security personnel were there to ensure the festival did not proceed.
“This is to inform you that there has been a serious crisis in Ibule Soro since yesterday (Friday) around 12:16 pm till now (Saturday). This is beyond control as the police invaded us, shooting sporadically, terrorizing the entire community; they teargassed every nook and cranny, and this is seriously affecting the elderly and the young. Many were taken to the hospital because of this act,” the source said.
“The security people came, shooting sporadically and firing tear gas at everyone in sight. They even fired tear gas into various houses where elderly people reside. They broke into several houses and arrested people,” the source added.