By Bisi Oladele and Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan
Oyo State Government has issued a warning to hoodlums attacking private and public property in the name of the just-suspended #EndSARS protests, urging them to steer clear of the state.
The government gave the warning through Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, while speaking with reporters after an assessment tour of the places attacked by hoodlums during the #EndSARS protests in different parts of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The places visited include Ojoo Divisional Police Headquarters, where 12 vehicles and the building were completely razed, as well as Egbeda Divisional Police Headquarters at New Gbagi Market, Old Ife Road, Ibadan, where the structures and three vehicles were also burnt.
The tour was led by the Director of Operations of the State Joint Anti-Crime Task Force Team codenamed Operation Burst.
The team also visited Moniya, Monatan, Iwo Road Interchange, Agodi Police Area Command, Total Garden, Yemetu, Bere, Ayeye, Agbaje Market, Agbeni Market, Ogunpa Market, Oluyole Estate and Odo-Ona.
Other areas include Iyana Church, Monatan, Olodo, Wema, Gbagi, Molete, Challenge, Odo Ona, Ring Road axis, Oke Padre among other places.
Speaking after the tour that lasted about seven hours, Olatubosun said: “We have gone round and I am happy to inform you that everywhere is calm. Business activities have picked up and people have been going out without any harassment.
“But the peace we are witnessing in the state now would not have been possible but for the community engagement of Governor Seyi Makinde, which has helped the state to douse the tension.
“Also, the understanding of our people and the belief they have in the leadership of Governor Makinde also worked in our favour. We also give kudos to our security agencies, especially Operation Burst.
“I appeal to those perpetrators that Oyo State is known to be peaceful and we will not condone any form of thuggery, hooliganism, violence and looting.”
But, the management of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan has beefed up security around its premises over suspected plan to attack its facilities by hoodlums.
Police stations are being attacked in Ibadan while the house of a senator was also looted at the weekend.
In a statement by the Head, Public Relations of the hospital Mr. Toye Akinrinlola yesterday, the hospital’s management said it had information that hoodlums were planning to attack the hospital.
It assured staff, students and other members of the UCH community that adequate measures had been put in place by security agencies to forestall such planned attack.
It was observed that peace has started returning to the capital city as businesses have begun to open up. Commercial transport operators were also seen doing business with traffic gradually building up in busy parts of the state capital.
He has urged everyone to be conscious of their environment and take measures to ensure the security of their properties.”
