The Police Command of Kwara State informed that three persons lost their lives on June 16, 2014, Monday, during clashes between those who dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), NAN reports. A dozen of suspects were also arrested in connection with the violence.
* PDP rally and defection. Photo credit – TheHerald
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Kwara State, Okasanmi Ajayi, attributed the clashed to mass defection of APC members to the ruling party on June 13, 2014. Tensions were especially high in Alore area of Ogidi ward, Ilorin West Local Government Area.
The PPRO further confirmed that armed mobile police units had been deployed to the affected areas. The peace is restored, while the investigations have already started.
Residents speak
According to an eyewitness, several people were injured during the violence, which lasted for a couple of hours in Abayawo, Adana-Omoda, Alore-Ode, Ode-Alawusa and Okelele areas of the capital city of Kwara, Ilorin.
It has been also gathered that economic and social activities were seriously affected by the clashes. Most of the residents were forced to indoors for fear of their safety.
* Thugs on a rampage. Photo credit – TheHerald
The witness further confirmed that riots were sparked by a disagreement among the decampees, who failed to agree on how to share some cash given to them after the event.
DailyTrust has gathered that a politician doled out the sum of N20,000 shortly after defection had been announced. The yet-to-be identified hoodlums did not come up with a proper sharing formula
It would be noted that mass defections from and to PDP are getting more and more active in anticipation of elections’ season.
For instance, at least 1,000 PDP members have defected to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia state in June 2014.
A mass defection of approximately 7,000 APC members to the ruling party took place in the troubled Adamawa State, being under the state of emergency rule in the beginning of May 2014.
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