Tension rose in Ikere Ekiti yesterday following a violent clash between some students and commercial drivers over the rape of a female student (names withheld).

The 200 level student of the College of Education, Ikere Ekiti, was alleged to have been raped by a commercial driver along College-Igbara Odo way last Sunday.

The lady, who was said to be having malaria fever and went to town to seek medical treatment, was allegedly raped by a commercial driver fondly called (Akoto driver ) at about 8pm.

Enraged by the action, students of the institution yesterday trooped to the streets and dealt with any known commercial driver sighted along the way.

This led to the blockage of the Ado-Ikere-Akure road, which caused disruption of traffic flow for several hours.

Those travelling to Akure had to make a detour and returned to Ado-Ekiti to prevent being caught in the web of violence that engulfed the town.

The violence also disrupted commercial activities at Odo Oja area of Ikere Ekiti as many of them hurriedly closed shop probably to prevent looting of their wares.

It was gathered that the lady has been taken to hospital for medical treatment.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Alberto Adeyemi, described the rape as the highest point of criminality which he said would not be tolerated.

Adeyemi said normalcy had returned to the beleaguered town and that the police had launched a serious manhunt for the alleged rapist.

“Yes, the lady was sick and was being conveyed to the college when she was raped. The police don’t tolerate any criminal action in any way and this won’t be an exemption.

“We have launched a manhunt for the man. The police are on his trail and we shall bring him to justice by the grace of God,” he explained.

•Text courtesy of THISDAY.

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