How the violence began

What began as a routine late-night cash withdrawal at a Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal ended in tragedy in Ojo, Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State, where at least four people were feared dead and scores injured after a violent clash.

The violence, which crippled business activities and forced hundreds of residents to flee their homes on Wednesday, was reportedly triggered by the alleged killing of a commercial tricycle rider during a dispute over a failed POS transaction the previous night.

While eyewitnesses claimed that four people lost their lives, the Oyo State Government said it had officially confirmed two deaths and that investigations were ongoing to determine the full extent of the casualties. The incident also prompted the deployment of police and military personnel to restore normalcy.

Eyewitness account of the disputed transaction

An eyewitness, Azeez Olamiposi, said the commercial tricycle rider went to a POS operator in the Sabo area of Ojo between 11 p.m. and midnight on Tuesday to withdraw cash. According to him, the transaction became contentious after poor network service delayed confirmation of payment even though the rider had already collected the cash.

Around between 11:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight yesterday, a man riding a Maruwa went to a POS at Strabag because he wanted to make a withdrawal.

— Azeez Olamiposi, eyewitness

They gave him the money, but while they were trying to complete the transaction, the network was bad. He had already collected the money and used it, but the POS operator said the transaction had not gone through.

— Azeez Olamiposi, eyewitness

Olamiposi said the rider insisted he was not attempting to flee and surrendered the key to his tricycle and his mobile phone as security while the issue was being resolved.

The man said, 'This is the key to my Maruwa. This is my Maruwa. This is my phone. You can keep them. I'm not running anywhere,'

— Azeez Olamiposi, eyewitness

Allegations of killing and escalation

According to the witness, the argument turned deadly when another individual allegedly intervened and attacked the rider. Olamiposi alleged that the victim was assaulted repeatedly despite pleading for understanding.

While they were arguing, somebody suddenly came, slapped him and stabbed him until he died,

— Azeez Olamiposi, eyewitness

He kept telling them, 'I can't run away. My Maruwa is here. This is the key to it. This is my phone. Keep everything. I'm not running.' But they didn't listen. They started beating him and stabbing him until he died,

— Azeez Olamiposi, eyewitness

He also criticised how the victim was handled after the attack, alleging that he was not immediately taken to hospital. According to him, unrest escalated on Wednesday morning when residents gathered to demand explanations over the alleged killing.

This morning, when Yoruba boys and other people came to find out what had really happened, the next thing we saw was people from the other side rushing there and starting a fight,

— Azeez Olamiposi, eyewitness

Olamiposi further alleged that an armed man carrying an assault rifle appeared at the scene before another individual identified only as "General" allegedly opened fire.

While he was shooting, he killed a young boy who had gone to buy Indomie. The boy died. Several other people were also injured and are now in the hospital,

— Azeez Olamiposi, eyewitness

Officials warn against ethnic colouration

Responding to the violence, Chairman of Akinyele Local Government, Akinwole Akinleyele, urged residents to remain calm and said the incident should not be interpreted as an ethnic conflict.

As a government representative and a community leader, this has nothing to do with ethnicity. This is simply a case of someone committing a crime,

— Akinwole Akinleyele, Chairman, Akinyele Local Government

It has been reported, and as you can see, the police and the military are here. Arrests have been made, and I am confident they will get to the bottom of the matter.

— Akinwole Akinleyele, Chairman, Akinyele Local Government

Akinleyele said residents should cooperate with security agencies and avoid actions that could worsen the crisis. He added that leaders from both Hausa and Yoruba communities had been engaged and were working together.

It is normal in a mixed community like this that when someone dies and the victim belongs to one ethnic group while the suspect belongs to another, people may try to turn it into an ethnic issue. But I can assure you that we have spoken with both the Hausa and Yoruba community leaders, and they are working together. This has nothing to do with ethnicity. It is purely a criminal matter.

— Akinwole Akinleyele, Chairman, Akinyele Local Government

Government response and investigation

Also speaking during an assessment visit on behalf of Governor Seyi Makinde, Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal said criminal elements were responsible for the unrest and assured residents that those found culpable would face justice.

The civil unrest in this area has been instigated by criminal elements. Criminals are simply criminals, and criminality has no tribal identity. Our priority is to ensure the restoration of peace and stability here in Ojo and, indeed, across every part of Oyo State,

— Bayo Lawal, Deputy Governor, Oyo State Government

He appealed to residents, especially youths, to remain peaceful and allow security agencies to carry out their operations.

The government has already commenced profiling and investigating those involved, and anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law, irrespective of whether they are Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba or from any other ethnic group. Criminality is not the exclusive preserve of any tribe,

— Bayo Lawal, Deputy Governor, Oyo State Government

Lawal said the government was committed to uncovering both the immediate and remote causes of the violence and warned against taking the law into their own hands.

As a government, we are determined to establish the root cause of this crisis. Once the facts are established, we will deal with the matter decisively,

— Bayo Lawal, Deputy Governor, Oyo State Government

We are aware that there have been casualties, including the tragic loss of two lives. A full investigation will be carried out, and those responsible will be identified, prosecuted and brought before the courts,

— Bayo Lawal, Deputy Governor, Oyo State Government