Three killed, houses burnt in Ibadan mayhem

At least three people were killed and 10 houses destroyed by   armed youths who   invaded Born Photo, Isale Osi, Idi Arere and Popoyemoja in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The youth who operated freely for about two hours before policemen arrived at the scenes, also burnt or vandalised about 200 shops,   several vehicles and a tricycle.

Eyewitnesses said the thugs partly burnt   a petrol station at Popoyemoja junction.

Our correspondent gathered that the mayhem started at 9am at Born Photo before it spread to Isale Osi, Idi Arere and Popoyemoja.Residents linked the violence to last Friday’s attack in which a   policeman was shot dead at a rally by the All Progressives Congress.

One of them said, “Youths hired by politicians   released several shots at Born Photo junction.   This is a fall-out of Friday’s violence at the APC rally.   This may not be over soon because there could be reprisal. Government must intervene quickly.” Mr. Okunola Asimiyu, whose family house on SW9/263 was burnt on Sunday, wondered why his house was a target.

He said, “I am not a politician. My father built this house many decades ago.   The fight in Oke-Ado three days ago may have led to today’s (Sunday) attack on our community. I   have no friends among the politicians. I was in the building when the thugs set it on fire . I tried to put   off the fire but when I realised that it was spreading, I had to escape.”

About five shops in the house were vandalised.

Folake Oladipo, who operated one of the shops, said she lost over   N1m.

She added, “I received a call this(Sunday) morning that my shop was burning. I rushed there but I saw people with guns shooting and burning houses. They burnt my refrigerators, generators and looted everything in the shop. I am devastated.”

Also destroyed in the building was a football viewing centre. Its operator, Adepoju Owolabi, said football fans were lucky to have escaped.

At Popoyemoja junction, a BP petrol station was vandalised and partly burnt. Policemen at the scene said calamity would have happened if the fire had reached the fuel dump.