2 Killed, 7 Injured Over Land Dispute In Kwara * 2 arrested, investigation ongoing, says police
By Omowumi Omotosho
A violent clash over a long-standing land dispute between the Ndeji and Lema communities in Lafiagi, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, has led to tragic consequences, with fatalities and injuries reported.
Eyewitnesses recounted that tensions flared when the Chief Imam of Ndeji was assaulted on his way back from his farm, resulting in severe injury on his hands.
This incident sparked outrage among the youth of Ndeji, prompting them to seek revenge, though they reportedly did so unarmed.
The situation quickly escalated when a confrontation broke out, and members of the Lema community reportedly opened fire on the Ndeji youths.
This violent encounter resulted in two fatalities and seven serious injuries among the Ndeji group, while two individuals from Lema were injured.
The conflict , National Pilot gathered, arose from a land dispute that has persisted for decades, with ongoing reconciliation efforts by both past and current Emirs of Lafiagi failing to yield a resolution.
In the aftermath, the five injured individuals from Ndeji were transported to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) to receive treatment for gunshot wounds. In protest, men and women from Ndeji marched to the Emir’s palace, voicing their dissatisfaction with the Emir’s handling of the situation and accusing him of bias in favour of the Lema community.
The protest took a violent turn as stones were thrown at the Emir’s family and his private residence, which is situated near the palace. The situation was eventually brought under control by the military personnel present at the scene.
However, when Nationalpilot contacted the Kwara state police spokesperson, DSP Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, she declared that arrests had been made in connection to the violence and that the investigation was ongoing.
“Two suspects have been arrested, and they were brought to the headquarters. Currently, the investigation is ongoing, ” she said.
