A suspected hoodlum, identified as Rasidi, also known as Olopa, has been killed following violent clashes that occurred in the Sabo community in Ede, Osun State.
An eyewitness, a resident in the area, who pleaded anonymity, had explained that a gang of four men led by the deceased, said to be second in command to a wanted cultist, Rasidi Oko’lu, had been extorting residents of Sabo.
The resident also said the leadership of the Hausa community had complained about Rasidi’s activities to some indigenes and sought help to stop him from further extorting them.
It was further learnt that the rising tension between Rasidi’s group and residents of Sabo reached its peak on Tuesday when the hoodlums allegedly seized some motorcycles belonging to some Hausa men and demanded money before they would release them.
The situation however degenerated into a fracas when the thugs reportedly went to Sabo on Tuesday, leading to the violent clashes and eventual death of Rasidi while five other residents of the community were also injured.
Speaking with PUNCH Metro on Wednesday, Seriki Hausa of Ede, Ibrahim Gambo, confirmed the incident but added that the attack was not targeted at Hausa residents in particular.
Gambo said, “Thugs attacked the whole Sabo community in Ede. Not only Hausa people are living in Sabo. We have Fulani, Yoruba and other tribes also living there. The thugs were the ones disrupting the peace of the community.
“The so-called Rasheed Oko’ lu was not involved. But the thugs that attacked us were led by Rasidi, also known as Olopa, who wanted to be the leader of their group, since Oko’lu was not around.
“During the attack on Sabo, about five of our people were injured. The thugs that attacked us were about five in number. They were shooting sporadically. The person who led the thugs was killed, but I cannot say who killed him because the police were also there and gunshots were fired.
“Properties of some of the residents were stolen while many of them were destroyed. We call on the government to help us, as some of our people are presently stranded owing to this attack. The situation is calm now.”
Commenting on the incident, spokesperson for the Osun Police Command, Yemisi Opalola, said the attack occurred on Wednesday when some allies of Rasidi Oko’lu went to Sabo Area and wanted to extort residents were resisted.
“The thugs seized some motorcycles from Hausa residents and they were told to return the motorcycles. Police were quickly deployed which prevented escalation. One person was killed in the fracas, but normalcy has been restored,” Opalola concluded.
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