Osun: Fear As Suspected Gunmen Invade Osogbo, Shoot Sporadically

The presence of some unidentified men who have been accused of shooting sporadically, wielding machetes has affected the peace of some parts of Osogbo, the state capital.

It was gathered that for two nights running, the identified men start shooting around 10 pm through 12 midnight.

Sources that spoke on the incident noted that the gunshots are a result of rival cult groups challenging each other, while others alleged that the unidentified men are members of the State Boys, a group of political thugs that gained notoriety during the administration of Rauf Aregbesola.

Some of the areas where the shooting occurred which are Oke-Baale, Olaiya, Egbatedo, Gbeemu, Oja-Oba, Atelewo, Idi-Omo, Balogun, Ita Akogun have been described as unsafe for both residents and non-residents.

A resident of one of the community, Titus Oluwasuyi, called on the state government to work more on security due to the influx of cultists and political thugs.

He further stated that guns are now used freely in Osogbo and residents of some areas are now becoming scared because people are killed at will.

He said, “we now advise ourselves within Osogbo not to stay outside till late at night again but to stay safe in our homes as there is now fighting in the town.”

He alleged that the thugs were indirectly working for the state government.

The development was confirmed by the spokesperson of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), DSP Daniel Adigun but explained that their identities could not be ascertained.

According to him, “We don’t know as of now if they are thugs or members of secret cults, but definitely, they are hoodlums who are disturbing the peace of the society.”

“The violence just started suddenly on Monday and as of yesterday, intelligence report has it that in some parts of Osogbo, they wanted to come out even in the morning.”

“The situation is already under control as the state security Joint Task Force (JTF) was able to stem the tide and anybody who wants to foment trouble will be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.”

Adigun while speaking on security issues in the state revealed that criminal elements have infiltrated secondary schools as some students of these schools have been recruited into their ranks.