Ibadan violence: Oyo Assembly tasks CP to intensify security

•    It’s due to ego battle between area boys, LG chairman

IN the wake of recent gang violence in some areas of Ibadan, the Oyo State House of Assembly, on Thursday, urged Commissioner of Police, Sam Adegbuyi, to intensify security measures to bust and forestall recurrence of “dastardly activities of the criminal gangs.”

Deliberating on a motion by Majority leader, Honourable Kehinde Subair, the house decried that people of communities of Foko, Born-Photo, Isale Osi areas of Oja-Oba had continued to live in state of confusion and fear.

The gangs and some hoodlums in the affected areas had on Monday reportedly looted about 50 shops, razed vehicles, tricycles and brandied dangerous weapons throughout the attacks.

In the same vein, Caretaker Chairman, Ibadan South East Local Government, Nojeemdeen Abass has said that the violence in Kudeti area stems from ego battle between two groups of Area boys, known as “One million boys” of Kudeti and “Indomie boys” based in Ilupeju.

Corroborating his ego battle stand, he said Tuesday’s violence in Kudeti erupted when a leader of one of the group who was in a vehicle did not oblige the other group’s request for payment of a certain vehicle toll.

Adding, he said crisis usually erupted whenever there is perceived invasion of their territories by any group.

Not failing to acknowledge the efforts of security agents, Abass however hinted of meeting with parents and guardians in Kudeti and environs to call their wards to order.

Noting his efforts and that of security agents, he assured that the recent crisis would end next week.

“The issue of “one million boys” has persisted for a while. This issue has no political undertone but as a result of ego between the two groups in the area. Investigation by security agencies revealed that the recent violence resulted from a disagreement between the leaders of the two groups.”

“A leader of one group was in a vehicle and a member of the group which collects money for the NURTW wanted to collect money from that driver. The leader of the other group insisted that he would not oblige the request to pay certain NURTW fee.”

“We are set to meet with the landlords of the affected areas because the families of these boys live within these areas. The current crisis is between the group known as “one million boys” based in Kudeti and another called “Indomie” which is Ilupeju based. The crisis usually escalates because area boys of other areas tend to align with either of the two warring groups.”

“I questioned them on allegations that they were in possession of guns and other weapons, and they denied having guns. I will see to the resolution of this issue in the next week. I have decided to meet with their parents and guardians to call their wards to order. We cannot continue to allow them make defenceless people living in the area uncomfortable.”

“In fact, some of these boys do not want to be in contact with me as they do ignore my calls. The last time I met with them, I warned them against fomenting trouble else they will be arrested by the security agents,” Abass said.