Man shot dead by hoodlums in Ibadan as community fears reprisals

Residents of Kudeti area of Ibadan currently live in palpable fear of reprisals stemming from gang-related violence in the area in recent weeks.

One Lanre Ayomide had been shot dead by suspected hoodlums in Kudeti area Ibadan, last Thursday, reportedly swelling the number of killings in the area.

The killings, involving boys from Born Photo down to Kudeti areas, reportedly, may not be unconnected with reprisals and counter reprisals stemming from the killing of a gang leader, Moshood Ekugbemi in April.

Sources within the community said the killing of Lanre brings to seven the number of killings in recent weeks.

The 30-year-old Lanre had been accosted by some men, seated on a bridge, at about 8.30 pm on Thursday, when he went out to purchase food.

It was gathered that the trouble started when the men asked Lanre to kneel, afterward Lanre was shot.

Lanre’s elder sister, Yetunde Ahmed recounted how she met her brother in the pool of his own blood before he later died.

She said the late Lanre had only just returned from Lagos to Ibadan over the arrest of his younger brother over the violence in the area.

Ahmed said, “My younger brother went to purchase food around 8.30 pm on Thursday.

“He met some people seated on a bridge around a church in the area. He said those people were some notorious guys in the area.

“He said the boys asked him to kneel. I was called and I got there to meet him in a pool of his own blood

“Since Ekugbemi was killed, there has not been peace in the area. They have threatened that since Ekugbemi was killed, there will be a lot of killings. My brother will be the seventh person killed in the area. Who Was Raped And Murdered Begs God

“We usually call the 615 emergency number whenever violence springs up. Also, the police would usually come to the area on patrol, even the DPO of Mapo. In fact, some parents have left the area over the fear of constant attacks.

“His younger brother was arrested by the police and he came in from Lagos so as to help me bear the burden.”

Oyo Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Gbenga Fadeyi while reacting to the incident said the police was not unaware of the notoriety of Kudeti area for reprisal clashes.

He, however, said the police had a deployment of its crack striking units in the area to curtail further reprisals.

“The police has its deployment of personnel in that axis including Swift Response Squad (SRS), Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Idi-aro to curtail the menace and reprisal attacks in that area,” Fadeyi said