Trouble in Ibadan, Oyo state capital as political thugs clash

There was a palpable tension in the ancient city of Ibadan as rival political thugs that are allegedly regarded as of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and All People’s Congress (APC) engaged in a free for all fight over the murder of PDP youth’s leader, Kazeem Alimi, who was murdered on Saturday during the zonal meeting in preparation for the coming presidential/National Assembly election scheduled for next year March 2015.

When our correspondent visited areas like Iwo Road, Academy, Gate in Ibadan North, area local government, Oremeji, Orita Aperin among other parts of the metropolis, these areas have been taken over by political thugs, causing security breach. The development has forced the people to stay at home while others moving through the areas ran for safety.

It will be recalled that on the 13th of December 2014, a rival political youths led by Omoniyi Taiwo, was attacked around Kudeti area during their campaign rally though the youth leader of APC, Omoniyi Taiwo, Saka Olakunle and Badiru Atanda escaped but the deputy youth leader, Oladele Kola and two other people were killed and it was believed that Omoniyi Taiwo, and others that were supporters of Honourable Olatoye Temitope, a.k.a Sugar that is contesting for Lagelu/Akinyele Federal Constituency, Ibadan, Oyo state were responsible.

The Oyo State Commissioner of Police said men and officers of the command have been deployed to the areas to install normalcy.

According to him, police are already in Iwo road and the affected areas to put the situation under control.

It was gathered that about 17 youths that belonged to different political parties were murdered since the campaign for the presidential election began last August.

Our correspondent gathered from a close source that Omoniyi Taiwo, Saka Olakunle and Badiru Atanda have escaped and their whereabout are unknown.

The source told our correspondent that they might have left Nigeria for Morroco or Libya as all calls put to their mobile phones didn’t go through. Meanwhile, the body of his deputy is still lying in the mortuary.

APC Chairman in Lagelu LG has appealed for calm as most of political bigwigs in Oyo State have gone into hiding. Also, the State Governor, Senator Isiaka Ajimobi, has frowned at the development as he called on the Nigeria Police to bring sanity back to Ibadan and Oyo state in general.

Honourable Olatoye Temitope Sugar, a House of representative candidate has since visited the deceased home and promised to take up the education of Late Oladele kola's children and donated the sum of one million naira to the family. Honourable Sugar also promised that the perpetrators will be brought to book.