Hoodlums sack community in Ibadan

HOODLUMS numbering over 20 from different groups in Ibadan on Monday morning attacked residents and traders on Akala Road, Osundina Street, Isale-osi, Ibadan, destroying properties worth millions of Naira.

The hoodlums, known as Foko/ Isale Asaka boys, according to the Nigerian Tribune’s findings were on revenge mission on another group, the Ekugbemi boys, who sources informed were resident in the affected areas.

According to sources, the Asaka boys threatened the residents to expose the Eku boys in their midst following an alleged attack on Foko gang’s camp recently. They vowed not to allow peace reign in the community until those boys were released to them for punishment.

Problem, it was learnt, began on Sunday around 10.45 p. m, when Foko boys stormed the area, threatening to unleash attack on the residents the following morning if they fail to expose their rivals who were involved in the attack on their camp.

The move, it was gathered, gave the residents sleepless nights, as they were helpless on the herculean task required of them by these hoodlums.

And true to their words, before 8.00 a. m. on Monday, hoodlums from Foko Asaka joint came and unleashed terror on the residents. Properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed, while people had to flee for safety.

It was also gathered that they barricaded the Akala Road throughout the time they operated.

Some of the residents who spoke under condition of anonymity confirmed to the Nigerian Tribune that some hoodlums who resided in the area were the first to throw stones, but they complained that their retaliation was taking its toll on them.

According to the sources who all pleaded anonymity for fear of attack, informed that “the boys who were most unclad, but were putting on knickers, jeans and all sorts came with machetes, destroying shops, houses and shooting sporadically into the air.”

Speaking further, the sources said “as you can see, all shops and houses have been closed since morning. Some residents are presently seeking refuge somewhere else. The most fearful is their threat to storm this place tonight and attack us. We don’t know where to go, we want government to save us from this nightmare.

“We saw men of the Nigeria Police around this morning, but we don’t know why they left before the time the hoodlums promised to be back.”

When contacted, the Police Public relations Officer (PPRO), SP Adekunle Ajisebutu, said: “We have deployed adequate policemen to forestall breakdown of law and order in the area. Two suspects have been arrested and are currently helping us in our investigation.”

“The Commissioner of Police has ordered 24-hour surveillance and aggressive patrol of the affected areas and other parts of the metropolis.

“Hoodlums and other criminal elements are, hereby, warned against any breach of peace in the state,” Ajisebutu stated.