One person was feared killed and scores received machete cut wounds in a clash between two rival groups of tricycle operators, popularly called Keke NAPEP, in Ilorin, on Tuesday.
This is just as a detachment of the state police command known as “Operation Harmony,” dispatched to the bloody scene at Gambari and Ipata areas of Ilorin metropolis arrested six persons, suspected to be among masterminds of the fracas.
The suspects, said to have been arrested with their tricycles loaded with some dangerous weapons, were said to have been detained at the office of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the state police command.
Eyewitness account said that the bloody clash was among members of tricycle association of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in Gambari area of the metropolis.
Sources in the affected areas said that the victim of the fracas was allegedly hit by stray bullet shot by the armed policemen said to have arrived the scene to douse palpable tension which reportedly enveloped the scene.
In the mayhem, one of the warring hoodlums was reportedly matcheted and was rushed to University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital where he was receiving medical attention alongside one of them that was allegedly hit by stray bullet.
It was also gathered that the crisis spilled to Ipata and Amilegbe axis, within same route as the area became tension soaked.
It was gathered that the affected area and some adjacent parts of the Ilorin metropolis became deserted immediately the fracas started as shop owners and residents ran for their lives.
The public relations officer of the Kwara State Police command, Mr. Ajayi Okasanmi, who confirmed the development, said that security had been beefed up in the area to avert possible reprisal.