From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure
Ondo State police command has arrested seven suspects and recovered weapons following a violent clash over a disputed land in Gbalegi community located between Akure and Idanre.
The incident, which escalated into a deadly confrontation, has left at least four people dead
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Funmilayo Odunlami, the command received a distress call that a group of armed thugs had mobilized to the disputed area, attacking residents.
She said police officers responded to the scene and apprehended seven individuals in possession of seven single-barrel guns, charms and a cache of live and expended ammunition.
The PPRO revealed that further searches of the surrounding bushland led to the grim discovery of four corpses bearing bullet wounds.
She informed that the Police Commissioner has called for calm, urging communities involved in land disputes to seek legal redress rather than resorting to violence.
“We advise communities with boundary issues to approach the courts for resolution rather than taking laws into their own hands. Self-help or violence only leads to unnecessary loss of lives,” she emphasized.
The state police command has also heightened security in the area to prevent further escalation of violence.