Employees at the Ilejemeje Local Government Area Secretariat in Ẹda-Oniyọ, Ekiti State, were thrown into chaos as gunmen invaded the premises on Tuesday.
The normal flow of activities was disrupted as the attackers forced the workers to flee for their safety.
This incident follows closely on the heels of armed Yoruba Nation agitators storming the Oyo State Government Secretariat.
Hailing from the Obbo-Ayegunle community in neighboring Kwara State, the hoodlums violently made their way into the secretariat, firing gunshots that sent workers scattering in different directions. Amid the pandemonium, one person sustained injuries.
Reports indicate that the hoodlums went on to vandalize the secretariat building along with other council property.
While the exact reason for the attack remains unclear at this time, it is known that the two communities have a longstanding dispute over land.
During the several-hour-long attack, one individual suffered serious injuries and was promptly taken to the State Specialist Hospital in Iye-Ekiti for urgent medical treatment.
Speaking about the incident, Oba Awodipo Awolola, the Eleda of Eda Oniyo community, mentioned that the hoodlums had recently used charms to attack some community residents in their farmlands, causing widespread panic and fear.
Expressing concern over the lack of police presence in the area, the traditional ruler emphasized the necessity of deploying more security personnel to prevent further lawlessness.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ilejemaje Local Government, Mr Alaba Dada, identified the suspected attackers as originating from the Obbo-Ayegunle community in Kwara State.
Linking the assault to the ongoing land dispute between the two communities, he stated that security forces had been dispatched to the town to avert any retaliatory strikes.
Dada stressed the urgency for the governments of Ekiti and Kwara to engage in discussions to resolve the land dispute, with the aim of fostering peace and goodwill.