As a result of the gang war which saw properties worth millions of naira destroyed in Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State over the weekend, the Police Command in the state has arrested 11 suspects.
The suspects were arrested in connection with the burning of some shops and houses along Beere-Molete Road, Ibadan on Saturday evening.
Some suspected arsonists in the early hours of Sunday burnt down no fewer than 20 shops and houses located on Beere-Molete Road in the Oyo State capital.
The Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) in the state, ASP Adekunle Ajisebutu, made this known to newsmen on Sunday in Ibadan.
Ajisebutu who said the arrested 11 suspects included their leader, added that law and order had been restored to the affected areas.
“The state Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Odude, has directed the policemen drafted to the area to carry out intensive patrol as well as 24 hours surveillance to avoid further breakdown of law and order.
“The CP has directed that the 11 suspects including their ring leader be charged to court immediately after conclusion of investigations,’’ Ajisebutu said.
In the meantime, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji has summoned an emergency meeting of all family heads in the areas concerned to his palace at Popoyemoja, Ibadan at 12.00 noon on Tuesday.
The Mogajis and Baales expected at the palace on Tuesday are those whose family compounds fall within Oja’gbo, Beyerunka, Labiran, Idi Arere/Asuni, Asaka, Isale Osi, Oopo Yeosa and Olorisa Oko areas of Ibadan.
Oba Adetunji gave the hint of his proposed emergency meeting with family heads of the affected areas while receiving members of the National Council of Muslim Youths, NACOMYO led by Sheikh Daud Afolabi to his palace on Sunday.
According to the first class monarch, the nefarious activities of the street urchins in some areas in Ibadan was becoming worrisome in recent times and the need to contain it through collective effort has become imperative. Oba Adetunji who sympathized with the victims of the recent arson and looting noted that the security of lives and properties is not only the responsibility of law enforcement agents but of all and sundry.
He also reasoned that as the 2019 general elections are fast approaching, it is important for all family heads in Ibadanland who notice anything strange to promptly report the matter to the police for appropriate action, particularly those who have formed the habit of tearing other candidates’ posters and banners to prevent breakdown of law and order.
Packaged by Susan Adeleke with additional reports from thenationonlineng.net
