No fewer than 20 persons were on Friday
wounded in a clash between rival youths at Ikpeshi
community in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of
Edo.

The clash cropped up following a disagreement over
who should collect levies from vehicle loaders in the
community on behalf of the local government
council.

Several residents fled from the community because
of the clash, while properties worth millions of naira
were destroyed during the conflict.

An eyewitness, Mr Abbe Oboh, said that the crisis
started when one faction wanted to take over the
collection of levies from the other group.

“The other faction refused and this led to a shootout
among the youths,’’ he said.

Oboh said that the deployment of personnel from the
Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) the state police
command, however, aided efforts to bring the
situation under control.

Mr Joseph Akerejola, the Chairman of Akoko Edo
Local Government Council, said that normalcy had
been restored to the area.

“The police are on top of the situation and everything
is under control.

“The perpetrators of the crisis would, however, be
brought to book,’’ he vowed.