Date: 2005-09-27

Two more people were feared killed on Monday in Idi-Ape area of Ilorin, Kwara State, following a clash between suspected members of the Oodua Peoples Congress and the Nigeria Police. Two houses belonging to a former governor of the state, Alhaji Mohammed Lawal, and a part of a house owned by his father, the late Mogaji Are of Ilorin, Alhaji Busari Alabi Alasa, were also burnt in the renewed violence, which started around 4.30am.

The affected houses are located in Idi-Ape and Amule quarters in Ilorin.

Attempts to torch the courtyard of Magaji Are were resisted by Afonja descendants.

But the mayhem left the always bustling Oja-Oba market deserted.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, Mr. Markus Gideon, confirmed the death of one person. The other, whose identity could not be ascertained as at press time, was said to have died during a cross-fire.

Gideon, who claimed that dangerous weapons and charms were recovered from one of the victims, also said that only a part of the house belonging to Lawal's father was burnt.

He said, The problem we have now is that these people regrouped and attacked our men. After the attack of yesterday (Sunday), they regrouped and by 4.30am today (Monday), they attacked our men again but no casualty.

This morning by 5am, they came calling with OPC inscription, ammunition, bulletproof, and hand bags containing charms to attack our men, but we responded and as God would have it, we were able to kill one of them and we recovered some dangerous weapons from him.?

The PPRO said that 10 people arrested on Sunday in connection with the crisis were helping the police in their investigations.

Gideon said two people, including a riot policeman, Corporal Obatayo Obatoke, were killed on Sunday

It was gathered on Monday that there was sporadic shooting on Sunday night between the police drafted to the area and the suspected OPC members.

Riot policemen patrolling the major streets around 11.30am on Monday prevented people from going beyond the junction leading to Idi-Ape.

They thoroughly searched the people and made them raise their hands before allowing them in and out of the area.

Shops, markets and filling-stations remained closed.

Bonfires were still smoking when our correspondent visited the area on Monday.

A source told our correspondent on phone that, They (residents of Idi Ape area) were surrounded by the police; nobody can venture out.?

It was also gathered that supporters of the deposed chiefs disallowed the new Balogun Gambari, Alhaji Mohammed Adebayo, and Balogun Alanamu, Alhaji Abubakar Akanbi, from entering their palaces.

The state Chairman of the OPC, Mr. Bayo Ifabiyi, denied that the police killed one of his men.

In a telephone interview with our correspondent, Ifabiyi said the OPC was not involved in the crisis.

Nobody should drag the OPC into this crisis,?he said, adding that the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, should take the blame.

The OPC Coordinator, Chief Gani Adams, had on Monday cautioned the monarch against acts that could worsen the crisis in the city.

Adams said the only way bloodshed could be avoided was for Sulu-Gambari to honour the wishes of Yoruba-speaking people of Idi-Akpe in respect of the office of Magaji Are.

The crisis broke out on Sunday following the installation by Sulu-Gambari of Alhaji Shuaib Zubair as the new Magaji Are of Ilorin against the choice of the Afonja family.