Scores
of hoodlums, said to be political thugs of an unidentified political
party, on Tuesday unleashed mayhem on residents around the Emir’s
Palace, Ile-film and Bolanta areas of Ilorin, Kwara State.
The development caused pandemonium as the hoodlums were said to have attacked people and damaged properties.
It was learnt that weapons such as
cutlasses and broken bottles were freely used, while business activities
were paralysed as traders hurriedly closed shops.
Some vehicles parked along the affected areas were damaged.
The development made many of the
residents to seek protection in the neighouring streets such as Gegele
and Pakata that were not affected by the fracas.
Our correspondent, however, learnt that the mayhem did not reach the Emir’s Palace.
A source, who pleaded not to be mentioned, said the thugs fought over political positions and patronage.
He added that the fight was between two
factions of an unidentified political party over sharing of positions
for the forthcoming local government elections in the state.
The Kwara State Police Public Relations
Officer, Mr. Olufemi Fabode, confirmed the attacks to our correspondent
on the telephone on Tuesday.
He stated that 16 suspects had been
arrested in connection with the mayhem. He also said the Kwara State
Commissioner of Police, Mr Oshodi Agboola-Glover, had ordered a thorough
investigation into the mayhem, adding that more culprits would be
arrested and prosecuted.
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