About 120 families have so far fled Ganmo in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State as a result of the communal clash that recently rocked the town.

A total of 25 houses including those of the families of the monarch of the town, Alhaji Abdullahi Kolawole, were said to have been destroyed in the crisis.

The crisis erupted following the grading and planned installation of Alhaji Kolawole as a 4th class monarch by the Kwara State Government.

Speaking yesterday at a press conference in Ilorin, a group called Omo Ibile Igbomina, which is a sociocultural and political body of the Igbominas worldwide, claimed that many families had fled the town as a result of the violence.

President of the Omo Ibile Igbomina, Chief Samuel Atolagbe, blamed the bloody clash on the Afonja descendants of Idi Ape in Ilorin, who he described as mere settlers in Ganmo.

According to him, the violence, which got to the peak on March 17 and March 18, was the fourth since 2002.

The bone of contention in the crisis centres on the real aborigines of Ganmo and who should produce the paramount monarch of the town.

Chief Atolagbe said that the issue had been decided in favour of the Igbominas by a competent court.

“The Igbomina people won the case at the Appeal Court on March 18, 2008,” he said.

The third clash in the town, according to Chief Atolagbe, occurred on November 16, 2010, which was a Sallah Day.

Narrating the incident, Chief Atolagbe said that the Oluganna of Ganmo, Alhaji Kolawole, narrowly escaped death.

He said that the attack was allegedly planned to eliminate him, but for the brave efforts of some individuals who rescued him from the palace.

Also speaking at the press conference, former Chairman of Omo Ibile Igbomina, Alhaji Toyin Adewara, said: “Afonjas of Ganmo are trouble makers who want to claim Ganmo land; they are just settlers in Ganmo.

“If the Afonjas will not stop their violent activities, the Igbominas may not stomach the attack anymore. We will not like a reprisal, but our patience should not be overstretched.”