Hoodlums from a yet to be identified group at Idi-Arere/Sakapena area in Ibadan, Oyo State capital in the early hours of Sunday set over 20 houses on fire in what was described as a clash between two rival gangs in the area.

The suspected troublemakers, sources informed TribuneOnline that their gang identity remained unknown as at Sunday morning but established that some of the guys harbouring and living within Idi-Arere/ Sakapena area have a disagreement with several gangs from other locations in the last few months in the city which had resulted in reprisal attacks.

The sources then hinted that such malice and disagreements triggered little crisis at short notices.

Parts of affected structures include fashion designers’ shops, soft sellers, houses, electronics shops, frozen foods retailer shop, cooker material sellers, wares’ shops, clothing retailers shop among others.

The affected structures were on both sides of the road from Idi-Arere axis down to Sakapena side by the side of a filling station owned by a popular politician.

According to Tribune report, Sunday’s attack came around 2.00 am and was described as reprisal attack of several clashes between the rival groups for some time.

In a swift reaction, Oyo State Police Command said it has arrested 11 suspects involved in the crisis, noting that police have also commenced 24 hours surveillance on the area.

The attackers were said to come with dangerous weapons such as guns, cutlasses, axes and knives, shooting sporadically into the air as they announced their arrival to the area in a dangerous manner.

Sources further informed that the gang clash had been on for about two weeks now in various locations in Ibadan, with different groups ready to strike at any available time of the day suitable to carry out their acts.

According to sources, Sunday’s attack at Idi-Arere was as a fall-out of an attack of some gangs from Idi-Arere alleged to have meted out on a rival gang but they were caught unaware on Sunday.

It was gathered that one of the targets is one of the ringleaders identified as Minister whose father’s house is located around the affected area. But the house in question was eventually protected from the attack by boys loyal to Minister who regrouped while the crisis lasted.

•Excerpted from a Tribune report

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