Video: Many Injured As New Yam Festival Disrupted In Ondo Community

Information reaching the OsunReporters News has it that 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.

According to reports, some members of the community set out early in the morning for the celebration before policemen and a detachment of military personnel arrived and dispersed them.

While speaking on the incident, an eyewitness who preferred anonymity alleged that the security personnel were in the community on the invitation of the traditional ruler of the community who did not want the festival to hold.

According to him, “The security people came, shooting sporadically and firing tear gas at everyone on sight, including some houses where we have aged people. They broke into several houses and arrested people.

“Some residents are currently 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.”

Meanwhile, 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 go down well with the indigenes who believe there is a particular date for the celebration which cannot be changed.

Watch videos of the scene below

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 had earlier directed oba Ogunlade not to parade himself as the Olubule pending the determination of the appeal.

At the time of filing this report, efforts to reach Olubule for his reaction proved abortive as his phone was not reachable.

Sew more photos below