Two persons have reportedly died while several others sustained injuries following a clash involving suspected scavengers and traders in the Ojoo area of Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State on Wednesday.

The violence, which began late Tuesday night, was reportedly triggered by a dispute over a Point of Sale (PoS) transaction involving a tricycle rider, popularly known as a Marwa rider, and a PoS operator in the Sabo area of Ojoo.

An eyewitness, Azeez Olamiposi, alleged that the incident occurred after a poor network delayed confirmation of a cash withdrawal transaction.

According to him, the rider had collected the cash, but the PoS operator could not confirm receipt of payment because of network failure.

“Around 11:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight yesterday, a man riding a Maruwa went to a POS at Strabag area because he wanted to make a withdrawal.

“They gave him the money, but while they were trying to complete the transaction, the network was bad.

“He had already collected the money and used it, but the POS operator said the transaction had not gone through,” he said.

The eyewitness claimed the rider repeatedly assured those present that he would not abscond and even offered his tricycle key and mobile phone as collateral.

“The man said, ‘This is the key to my Maruwa. This is my Maruwa. This is my phone. You can keep them. I’m not running anywhere.’”

Olamiposi alleged that while the disagreement was still being resolved, another individual intervened and attacked the rider.

“While they were arguing, somebody suddenly came, slapped him and stabbed him until he died,” he alleged.

He further claimed the victim was assaulted by several people despite repeatedly pleading with them.

“He had already collected the money and given it to the person he wanted to give it to. He kept telling them, ‘I can’t run away. My Maruwa is here. This is the key to it. This is my phone. Keep everything. I’m not running.’ But they didn’t listen. They started beating him and stabbing him until he died.”

The eyewitness also alleged that the victim was not immediately taken to hospital after the attack.

“He died yesterday. They didn’t even rush him to the hospital immediately. They took him somewhere else first. Before people eventually rushed him to the hospital, he had already died.”

He said the situation escalated on Wednesday morning when residents gathered to seek an explanation over the alleged killing.

“This morning, when Yoruba boys and other people came to find out what had really happened, the next thing we saw was people from the other side rushing there and starting a fight,” he said.

He also alleged that an armed man carrying an AK-47 rifle later appeared at the scene.

“Before we knew it, there was a man who said he was either a policeman or a soldier. He was carrying an AK-47 and wearing a blue jalabiya. Everyone was afraid because of the gun he was carrying.”

Expressing frustration over the incident, the witness said, “We want justice. We don’t want them here anymore. We don’t want them here anymore. Even me, look at what they wanted to use to injure me. They even attacked me here.”

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Adewale Osifeso, said security operatives had restored calm in the area.

“The situation in Ojoo has been brought under control and the area is calm,” he stated.

The Chairman of Akinyele Local Government, Hon. Akinwole Akinleye, appealed to residents to remain peaceful, stressing that the incident should not be viewed as an ethnic conflict.

“As a government representative and a community leader, this has nothing to do with ethnicity. This is simply a case of someone committing a crime. It has been reported, and as you can see, the police and the military are here. Arrests have been made, and I am confident they will get to the bottom of the matter,” he said.

He urged residents to cooperate with security agencies.

“I want everyone to remain calm and allow the law enforcement agencies to do their job and secure the community.”

Akinleye acknowledged that incidents involving people from different ethnic backgrounds could easily be interpreted along ethnic lines but cautioned against such narratives.

“It is normal in a mixed community like this that when someone dies and the victim belongs to one ethnic group while the suspect belongs to another, people may try to turn it into an ethnic issue.”

He disclosed that leaders of both the Hausa and Yoruba communities had commenced dialogue to prevent further violence.

“But I can assure you that we have spoken with both the Hausa and Yoruba community leaders, and they are working together. This has nothing to do with ethnicity. It is purely a criminal matter. The situation could have been handled differently.”

Also reacting, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, appealed for peace among all residents of the city.

In a statement issued through his media aide, the monarch said, “Regardless of where anybody comes from, we should always see ourselves as brothers and sisters.

“There is a need for us to tread with caution, noting the current situation in the country.

“I also want to thank the state government, the Police and other security agencies for their prompt response to the situation. Ibadan is home to all regardless of the ethnicities.” (Nigerian Tribune)