The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has appealed for peace following the deadly violence that erupted in the Ojoo area of Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State.
In a statement issued on Wednesday through his media aide, Adeola Oloko, the monarch urged residents of all ethnic backgrounds to maintain harmony and avoid actions that could worsen tensions.
He stressed that peaceful coexistence remains essential in Ibadan, noting that people from different parts of Nigeria now regard the city as their home.
According to the traditional ruler, disagreements are inevitable in any society, but they should never be allowed to degenerate into violence, especially given the country’s current security challenges. He also commended security agencies for responding swiftly to the crisis.
The appeal followed a violent clash that reportedly claimed at least four lives and left several others injured. The unrest forced traders and transport operators around the popular Ojoo Motor Park to shut down businesses as residents fled the area.
Investigations indicated that the violence began on Tuesday night after an argument between a commercial tricycle rider and some wheelbarrow pushers over a failed Point-of-Sale (POS) transaction.
Eyewitnesses said the dispute arose after poor network service delayed confirmation of a withdrawal transaction despite the rider having already received the cash. During the confrontation, the rider was allegedly assaulted and stabbed. He was taken to a hospital but later died from his injuries, sparking outrage among fellow tricycle operators, friends and relatives.
Residents claimed the incident escalated into wider violence involving groups of youths, resulting in more casualties and injuries.
One eyewitness alleged that an armed man dressed in a blue jalabiya appeared during the confrontation carrying an assault rifle. According to the witness, another armed individual later opened fire, killing a young boy who had reportedly gone out to buy noodles, while several others sustained gunshot wounds.
Meanwhile, Oyo State Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, who visited the community on behalf of Governor Seyi Makinde, described those behind the violence as criminals, insisting that crime has no ethnic identity.
He assured residents that the government had begun profiling and investigating everyone involved and that anyone found culpable would face prosecution regardless of ethnic background.
Lawal appealed to residents, particularly youths, to remain calm and allow security agencies to restore order and conduct a thorough investigation into both the immediate and underlying causes of the crisis.
He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to preserving Oyo’s tradition of peaceful coexistence and pledged that those responsible for the violence would be identified, prosecuted and brought to justice.
