Pandemonium broke out on Tuesday evening in the Ojoo area of Akinyele Local Government, Ibadan, following a violent clash between Hausa-Fulani scavengers, popularly known as _“Bowler Boys”_, and Yoruba traders in the area.
An eyewitness told mediareportsng.com that the crisis started from an argument between the two groups. The disagreement escalated, leading to the death of an unidentified Yoruba woman who was reportedly trying to settle the dispute.
“She saw the fight and tried to separate them. In the process, she was hit and died on the spot,” the source said.
Another resident alleged that the increasing presence and activities of scavengers around the Ojoo axis had led to frequent clashes and complaints from traders and residents over “unruly behaviour.”
Following the incident, security operatives including personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and the Oyo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, were deployed to the area to forestall further violence and prevent reprisal attacks by angry youths.
As at the time of filing this report, normalcy is yet to return to Ojoo Terminal and its environs, while traders and commuters remained apprehensive.
Police authorities in Oyo State are yet to issue an official statement on the incident
Residents have, however, called on the government and community leaders to intervene and address the recurring tensions in the area to prevent a recurrence.