File photo: Picture of burnt house of clash in Kogi state.Calm has returned to the Sabo area of Akure after a clash between some Yoruba Masquerades and Hausas.
Reports say trouble started after some masquerades were refused right of passage somewhere in the Sabo axis by a Hausa man who found it offensive to his religion.
This led to a fight before security was drafted in from the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services.
Speaking with SUNSHINE HERALD, the spokesman of the Army, Major Ojo Adenegan confirmed that normalcy has returned to the area.
"We are at the scene now, things have calmed down.
"I am here, the CP (Commissioner of Police) is here. We are doing our best to cool down the tempo," Major Adenegan said.
Also speaking with SUNSHINE HERALD, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Femi Joseph confirmed that normalcy has returned to the area.
He said, "We have brought it to normal, we have restored normalcy."
On what caused the clash, the police spokesman said it was as a result of some people who challenged some masquerades passing their vicinity.
"From the little information we gathered so far, I think it has to do with a masquerade passing through a particular route or way, which is not acceptable to some group. And the masquerade was prevented which resulted to some skirmishes," he said.
He however said no arrest had been made in connection to the clash.
Also, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security matters, Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo said the Commissioner of Police, state Director of DSS and other security chiefs have been meeting with the aggrieved parties to forestall escalation of the crisis.
Meanwhile, security operatives have been stationed at strategic places in Akure metropolis to prevent any breakdown of law and order in the city.
