AKURE: Tension gripped the Oke-Aro area of Akure, Ondo State, yesterday evening following an attack on an educationist, Mrs. Oluwakemi Saliu, by suspected hoodlums at a construction site in the community.
The incident has sparked renewed concern among residents, amid allegations of rising disputes linked to property boundaries and religious intolerance.
The Nation gathered that Mrs. Saliu visited the site to inspect ongoing work on her proposed chess-focused after-school education project when she was reportedly confronted and assaulted by the assailants.
Sources familiar with the matter said the attack may be connected to a long-running disagreement over the siting of the project near a property said to belong to the Nawair-Ud-Deen Society, which reportedly plans to develop its land for an Islamic school and a mosque. The proximity of both developments, the sources claimed, has generated friction in the area.
A witness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the situation escalated shortly after the educationist arrived at the site. “Trouble started not long after Mrs. Saliu came to inspect the project,” the witness said. “About three men attacked her, shouting religious slogans. There was panic and people ran for safety.”
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Speaking by telephone, the victim’s brother, Mr. Gbenga Saliu, condemned the assault and alleged that hostility toward his sister began shortly after construction commenced. He claimed the attack was motivated by religious intolerance and urged the authorities to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
When contacted, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, confirmed that an incident was reported in the area. However, she said she had not been fully briefed on the specifics, including the identities of those involved or the extent of injuries, adding that the Command would provide updates as investigations progress.
As of the time of filing this report, the Ondo State Police Command had not issued an official statement on any arrests in connection with the incident.