Bella Ifasola
Festival observers and military personnel reportedly clashed in Nigeria’s southwestern city of Ota over the weekend.
The incident, which occurred on Friday, 27 Dec., reportedly sparked tension in parts of the town for three days.
A viral video seen by KOIKI Media, which captured the aftermath of the fracas, showed a military personnel lamenting an attack on a military base in Ota. Sounds of gunshots were heard in the background, while broken glass and stones littered the premises.
“See our base o, see how they destroy soldiers’ barracks for this Otta o,” the soldier said in the video.
The clash began when some yet-to-be-identified military personnel allegedly confronted a masquerade during a festival in the community. The Ogun State Police Command could not be reached for comments.
“On December 27, some personnel reportedly attacked the Egungun worshippers during their festival. In retaliation, the masquerade worshippers attacked the Nigerian Navy School of Music in Ota with bottles, stones, and other dangerous weapons,” a top military source said.
The source added that naval personnel fired warning shots to disperse the mob attempting to storm the military base.
Some community leaders reportedly reached out to the naval authorities to resolve the matter amicably.
“The people thought some soldiers they had issues with were from our school and mobilized themselves to attack us. We exercised restraint, but the shots fired were to prevent the mob from forcing their way into the premises,” a senior military officer was quoted as saying by the Punch newspaper.
The source disclosed that the military personnel who appeared in the viral video had been detained for breaching the rules of engagement.
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the Olota of Ota Awori Kingdom, Oba (Prof) Abdulkabir Obalanlege, said he cut short his UK holiday to address the situation.
“I was in the UK when the incident happened. I had to cut short my holiday and return this morning. I can assure you that normalcy has returned to Ota,” the monarch said.
Oba Obalanlege explained that he had visited the naval base and found that the altercation was a minor misunderstanding that had been blown out of proportion.
“The issue has been resolved amicably, and peace has returned to Ota and its environs,” the traditional ruler assured.
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