The Police in Oyo State has arrested 18 suspected hoodlums for alleged involvement in a bloody cult clashes in some densely populated areas of Ibadan.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Abiodun Odude warned the warring groups that have been unleashing terrors in some parts of the Oyo State capital to desist from such activities and that if otherwise, they will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
Hoodlums numbering over 100 from Foko and Itamaya area of Ibadan had on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 2 and 3 launched an attack they called ‘Operation No Mercy’ against their rival at Oke-Ado in Ibadan.
This attack led to the injury of many unsuspecting victims who were inflicted with broken bottles and machete cuts while others were shot and stabbed with knives.
The Commissioner of Police, who visited Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I, on the incident which also affected his Popoyemoja palace visited other affected areas including Oke-Ado, Foko, Apena, Gege, Isale Osi, Born Photo, Oopoyeosa, and Popoyemoja.
During the visit, the Police Commissioner warned parents to caution their children against cult related activities and joining bandwagons.
The Olubadan of Ibadan in his reaction prayed for God’s protection for the police in the discharge of their duties.
He said he had received information on the fracas and summoned the family heads (Mogajis) of the affected communities and their environs to an emergency meeting with a view to finding a lasting solution to the incessant mayhem in those areas of the city.
Odude said no one was killed in the attack and that the hoodlums were fond of the incessant attacks.
“The ‘area boys’ tried to be funny with themselves but we thank God, they did not kill anybody, and they did not even kill themselves. We have been on this matter for three days, persistently day and night. The ‘area boys’ would just come out, attack themselves, and withdraw.
“We have come to visit the scenes to truly see what is going on, and see if we can identify the leaders and talk to them, and make sure we keep this town as peaceful as possible.”
He, however, vowed that the police will not give cultists a chance in Ibadan and its environs, adding those caught will be made to face the wrath of the law.
He, therefore, urged residents of the affected areas and Oyo State generally to go about their lawful duties peacefully and appealed to parents to keep close watch of children not to get involved in crimes.
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