Seven suspects in connection with the crisis between Odo-Owa and Kajola communities in Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State has been apprehended by the Kwara State Police Command.
The Public Relations Offiicer of the command, DSP Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed the arrest of the suspects on Tuesday in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.
The Crisis, according to Okasanmi, claimed a life and several persons injured.
NAN gathered that violence erupted between the communities on Sunday following disagreements during a masquerade festival in the area.
NAN also gathered that the two-week long annual masquerade festival began on March 31.
He said that the situation had been put under control with the dispatch of mobile policemen from Offa and Omu-Aran to the affected communities.
Okasanmi said that investigation to unravel the remote cause of the crisis had already commenced.
According to him, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, has directed that anybody found culpable in the crisis should be arrested and prosecuted.
Also, speaking to NAN on the crisis, a traditional ruler, the Olota of Odo-Owa, Oba Joshua Adimula, described the development as barbaric and unwarranted.
“The Olota-in-Council immediately swung into action to ensure that the situation did not escalate.
“I personally made contacts with both the local and state governments. We are very grateful to them, especially the governor, for the timely response,” he said.
The traditional ruler was worried that tension still hung in the air.
“I am urging the government to include the military to support the police,” he said.