Again, hoodlums unleash terror on Ibadan community, 50 shops, 8 cars destroyed

Hell was let loose on Monday when hoodlums believed to be from Asaka/Foko area terrorised residents of Ile-Nla, Osundina street, Isale-Osi, Ibadan, by vandalising shops numbering about 50, while they also destroyed about eight cars, over 40 motorcycles and a number of tricycles popularly called Keke Marwa in the process.

Some of the residents in the area who spoke with Metro disclosed that the hoodlums popularly known as Asaka boys, who had been terrorising the area in recent times, stormed the area on Monday night and held the people hostage from 9.00pm till early hours of Tuesday.

Metro gathered that during their first raid, the hoodlums wreaked havoc on the residents from Osundina Street to Gidarami, Oremeji furniture in Isale-Osi and Gege/ Born Photo area.

Their attack moves, it was gathered, were hinged on a revenge mission resulting from clash with another ‘criminal’ gang in the area who they claimed attacked their group some months ago. Since then, the Asaka/Foko boys had continued to unleash terror on the residents.

The hoodlums continued the violence on Wednesday morning as they returned to the community and held it hostage for several hours. Sources informed that they still insisted on burning down a mosque before they left.

It was also gathered that the hoodlums had earlier threatened to burn down the transformer beside Ode-Nla mosque on Sunday evening, but desisted from carrying out the threat for reasons unknown.

They were also said to have threatened continuous attack until an apology is tendered from the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadan. The development, Metro learnt, was based on an unconfirmed report that the hoodlums were banking on the support of some traditional leaders from their zones.

During the mayhem created by the hoodlums, they were reported to have shot sporadically into the air, while they vandalised several shops and carted away goods. They were said to have removed the doors of some shops, broke others and stole some goods while they also threatened to kill some people in the neighbourhood.

They also made bonfire on the streets, from Ode-Nla mosque to Alaadorin Bridge within the axis.

Some of the residents, who pleaded anonymity, claimed that they knew some of the hoodlums, and called on the security agencies to arrest them and allow peace to reign in the area. They mentioned some names such as Saka Lighter, Maalu, Dendebula, T Boy, Alaba Ojo, Abesu Idris, Naija, Small Rado, Dare Omis, Dada Toba and Ayinde Face.

During their raid inside the Osundina Palace, some of the victims revealed that the hoodlums attacked them with dangerous weapons like guns, machetes among others.

An eyewitness also informed that some aged women who were relaxing outside their inner rooms within the palace compound because of the hot weather were robbed of their traditional purses, while they even threatened to rape one of them.

When Metro contacted the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Adekunle Ajisebutu, he confirmed the incident and said that some arrests had been made.

He added that policemen had been drafted to the areas to maintain law and order. “Normalcy has since returned. The Commissioner of Police, Samuel Adegbuyi, has ordered 24-hour aggressive patrol of the affected areas and other parts of the state, warning criminal elements against breakdown of law and order in any part of the state.”

Meanwhile, the entire residents of the area have called on the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Sam Adegbuyi, to come to their aid as regards the regular attacks being carried out by a gang of hoodlums in the community.

Leading a group of the residents to the Tribune House on Wednesday, Mr Abiola Olayiwola, who spoke on behalf of the Head of Alasoro Compound, Alhaji Oladimeji Mustafa, said that houses, shops, vehicles and other valuables had been vandalised by the hoodlums, a development that had left the residents living under intense fear.

Olayiwola also said if the attack was left to continue, it might degenerate to anarchy as the suspects allegedly operate with impunity, while daring any resident to question their escapades.

“We are forced to come here today after they again invaded our community this morning, with a promise to always come back. We observe that these hoodlums are even close with some policemen in the area, hence their confidence to operate as if there is nobody to check them,” he said.

Olayiwola disclosed that the attack started after the death in an auto-crash of one Taofeek Efele, popularly called Ijoba, who allegedly sold Indian hemp for a living.

The hoodlums were said to have linked Efele’s death to the mother of one Tunde, an employee of Efele, who was detained by security operatives on November 24.

The mother was alleged to have threatened to deal with Efele if he failed to secure the release of her son. “The thugs then went wild, vandalising the house of the woman, while extending same to other areas.

Nobody is safe now as they have vowed to deal with anybody who cross their path. We are using this opportunity to plead with the commissioner of police to investigate the case so that peace can return to the area,” Olayiwola said.