25 arrested as carnival turns sour in Ibadan

•3 vehicles, transformer vandalised

THE Oyo State Police Command has arrested 25 suspects in connection with the mayhem that broke out on Sunday after a street carnival held at Inalende area in Ibadan North-West Local Government Area of Oyo State turned sour.

Not less than three vehicles and a transformer at Idikan junction were vandalised during the mayhem.

Metro gathered that some of the hoodlums who fomented trouble were not from the community which organised the celebration.

The crisis, which started shortly before 7.00 p.m, according to sources, extended till midnight, as security operatives had hectic time battling the miscreants who threw the community into total chaos.

Sources informed that crisis began immediately the policemen who provided security at the venue escorted the invited musician, Tiri Leather, from the venue.

The miscreants, Metro learnt, were brandishing machetes, broken bottles and other dangerous weapons in pursuit of their opponents within the quarters at Oopo Yeosa, Oniyanrin, Agala, Ayeye and Oritamerin areas,  though the effects were more felt around Idikan road.

Shops and a few houses on the major streets of Idikan were said to have hurriedly closed their doors while the drama lasted.

There were also remnants of broken bottles on the streets.

Some residents who spoke with Metro  under condition of anonymity revealed that “some boys around Idikan have become a torn in the flesh of most residents, causing crisis at the slightest opportunity.”

According to residents, “the organisers had a programme and it ended, only for us here in Idikan to be sniffing the smoke of other people’s enjoyment.”

Meanwhile, sources further informed that the Caretaker Chairman of Ibadan North West Local Government Area, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, held a stakeholders’ meeting with all security agencies and community leaders before the Eid-el Kabir festival on the security situation of the local government council and the need to stop organising carnivals in the area.

On the Inalende carnival of Sunday October 2, sources hinted Metro that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Mokola police station had initially taken steps to stop the celebration by seizing the musical instruments belonging to the guest musician.

When contacted, Dr Olatunbosun said gang clashes forced him as the caretaker chairman of the local government area not to agree to the request of holding carnival in the community.

He further informed that he even sent a message to the Department of State Services (DSS) to also decline the approval in order to ensure security of lives and property within the local government.

The image maker, Oyo State Police Command, SP Adekunle Ajisebutu confirmed the incident. Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Sam Adegbuyi, told Metro that the 25 arrested suspects would be arraigned today.