Eonomic activities were brought to a standstill on Wednesday in the Ojoo and Sabo areas of Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State following a violent clash involving some Yoruba and Hausa residents.

Witnesses said the crisis, which reportedly started on Tuesday evening, allegedly claimed the life of a person. They alleged that the killing triggered reprisals, leading to renewed violence in the area on Wednesday morning.

The development created panic among residents and commuters as people fled to safety.

It gathered that shops and markets were abruptly shut, while traders, commercial drivers, passengers and other road users abandoned the area for fear of being caught in the violence.

The situation also caused heavy disruption to vehicular movement along the busy Ojoo axis, with many motorists taking alternative routes to avoid the troubled area.

Security personnel, including military operatives, were later deployed to the affected communities to restore law and order. Their presence helped to bring the situation under control, although the area remained largely deserted as of the time this report was filed.

Confirming the development, the Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said normalcy has returned to the Ojoo and Sabo areas.

He noted that security operatives remain on the ground to maintain peace and prevent any further breakdown of law and order.

DSP Ayanlade added that investigations into the incident are ongoing to determine the immediate and remote causes of the crisis and identify those responsible.

He appealed to residents to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that could assist the investigation.