THE death toll in the Irawo communal clash in Atisbo Local Government Council of Oyo State has risen to 25.

Fresh fight among the warring parties was said to have broke out yesterday morning. This worsened the security situation in the ancient town.

When the communal bloody clash first erupted on Friday night, 10 people were killed during the heavy shoot-out that ensued in the community.

The worsened security situation in Irawo forced the State Governor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja to pay an unscheduled visit to the crisis ridden town.

The governor accompanied by other top government functionaries visited the town to assess the level of destruction but he barred newsmen from following him on the assessment tour of the town.

Besides the number of victims that had increased, more houses have also been burnt with some outrightly demolished by the warning parties.

The House of a government functionary who hails from the town was reportedly razed down by the irate youths with tension still mounting in the area.

Police speaks on recovered bodies

The Deputy Police Commissioner, Mr. Jonathan Johnson informed that additional information at the disposal of the police indicated that 10 bodies have been recovered and 36 houses burnt in the town.

His words, "I told you on Monday that six people lost their lives during the clash but the latest information is that the figure had risen to 10; I don't know about the 25 figures you saying".

The Deputy Police Commissioner went further that more houses and property such as generating sets have also been burnt in the crisis which he said had been brought under control.

The police boss, however, disclosed that more policemen have been deployed to the town to maintain law and order as well as to prevent the escalation of the fight to the neighbouring towns and villages.

Scores of journalists who had yesterday been informed to join the governor's entourage to Irawo at 7.am at the Government House were disappointed when they were turned back by the Chief media officer, Mr. Adeola Oloko and the special adviser to the governor on media matters, Mr. Ade Adekanbi.

It was gathered that the governor's decision was borne out of the fear that the press might expose the enormity of the damage done by the clash to the community.

	Copyright © 2003 Vanguard. Droits de reproduction et de diffusion réservés. Distribué par AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).