TENSION AS NEW YAM FESTIVAL TURNS ROWDY IN ONDO COMMUNITY
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TENSION AS NEW YAM FESTIVAL TURNS ROWDY IN ONDO COMMUNITY
***Several Indigenes Arrested, Hospitalised
There was palpable tension at Ibule soro community in Ifedore local government area of Ondo State on Friday as New yam festival in the community was allegedly disrupted by the police.
Reports say little did indigenes of the community set out early in the morning for the celebration before policemen and a detachment of military personnel arrived and dispersed them.
An indigene who preferred anonymity alleged that the security personnel were in the community on the invitation of the monarch, the Olubule, Oba Leke Ogunlade who did not want the festival to hold.
“The security people came, shooting sporadically and firing tear gas at everyone on sight.’
“They even fired tear gas into various houses where we have aged people. They broke into several houses and arrested people.”
“As I speak, many indigenes are receiving treatment in various hospitals while police have arrested many youths too.”
“We do not know that celebrating new yam festival has become a crime. We were celebrating without any problem until the security people came.”
Investigations revealed that the Olubule, Oba Ogunlade had wanted to hold the new yam festival on the 25th of August, 2024 to coincide with his first anniversary of his coronation but this did not do down well with the indigenes who believe there is a particular date for the celebration which cannot be changed.
This disagreement was what led to crisis in the community.
There had been a love lost between the Monarch and indigenes because of the process leading to his emergence which some people viewed as fraudulent.
A document dated 25th April, 2024 and made available to Newsmen showed that a court of appeal has directed oba Ogunlade not to parade himself as the Olubule pending the determination of the appeal.
Efforts to reach Oba Leke Ogunlade for his comments proved abortive as his phone was not reachable.
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