One killed, scores injured as robbers invade Ibadan

A yet-to-be identified night watchman was allegedly killed by armed robbers in Oju-Irin in the Akobo area of Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday, when robbers, numbering about 15, invaded the area around 2am.

The robbers were said to have operated for hours without police intervention.

Landlords in Idi-Isin and the leader of the security guard in the area, simply identified as Mr Fagbenro, said a security guard was shot dead at Oju-Irin by the robbers before they moved to other areas, adding that some of the attacked guards were on the danger list in various hospitals.

Our correspondent gathered that among the people, who were injured, were a couple and 12 guards, who were working in Yawiri, Idi-Isin, Tella, Anifalaje, Apata, Iyana Akanni and Oju-Irin, where the robbers operated for several hours.

There was blood around the transformer in the area when journalists visited the spot.

One of the executive members of the landlords’ association in the Idi-Isin area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the robbers arrived the area in a Micra Nissan car and on motorcycles and raided houses in the Yawiri area before proceeding to other areas in the community.

He confirmed to our correspondent that a guard was killed around Oju-Irin and two others, who were instructed to keep watch over the transformer at Idi-Isin, were also brutally dealt with machete blows for preventing the robbers from stealing electrical wires from the transformer.

According to him, the residents alerted police personnel on duty at the Akobo Police Station when they noticed the arrival of the robbers, but there was no response until around 6am.

The source stated, “It is true that the robbers killed one night guard at Oju-Irin; they also cut our night guards with machetes. I am also aware that a couple was dealt machete blows at Yawiri and about 12 other night guards were also attacked with machetes.

“Our investigations revealed that the robbers got into this area around 2am in a Micra Nisan car and on three motorcycles. Our night guards were just returning from a round of patrol when they were attacked at the transformer area. The guards are in hospital recuperating.”

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Gbenga Fadeyi, confirmed that some night guards were attacked.

He, however, denied that one of them was killed in the attack.

Fadeyi said, “The robbers ran away before the arrival of the police in the area. Efforts are being intensified to clamp down on the hoodlums, who carried out the evil act.

“Information available to me has it that the one of the night guards, who was attacked, sustained injuries and was rescued by the police.

“He was taken to the University College Hospital for treatment and he is responding to treatment. No guard was killed.”