Ikare-Akoko, the seat of the state’s Akoko North East Local Government Area, will be under a 24-hour curfew, according to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State.
The governor’s order from last Thursday states that the curfew is effective right away throughout the neighborhood.
The curfew became necessary as a result of a violent altercation that broke out in the neighborhood during the New Year’s carnival, according to a statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde.
When some youngsters started fighting on Wednesday over the location of the carnival in the Okoja quarters, a crisis engulfed the neighborhood.
While encouraging the state’s security services to guarantee maximum curfew enforcement, Akeredolu said the two local traditional rulers must warn their subjects that anyone found disobeying the order will face consequences.
The statement reads: “This follows the escalated violent clash in the town since Tuesday which has continued unabated, despite the meeting held by Government and the Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadiri Momoh and Owa Ale of Iyometa, Oba Adeleke Adegbite to rein-in their subjects.
“Security agencies have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the order just as investigations are already on to unravel the real cause(s) of the violent clash.
“For emphasis, Ikare Akoko has been closed down for any unauthorised human movement and activity until further notice.”
