Pandemonium broke out in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, on Thursday, when some hoodlums allegedly attacked a convoy of vehicles belonging to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) conveying high profile suspects, including a traditionalist, AbdulAzeez Adegbola, a.k.a Tal’Olohun, to the State High Court Complex.
LEADERSHIP gathered that about six persons were crushed by one of the vehicles when the driver was trying to manouvre his way out of the troubled spot.
The incident, which left people scampering for safety, occurred at Oja-Oba market area in Ilorin, a stone thrown from a Divisional Police Headquarters.
Five persons were reportedly crushed at Oja-Oba market while one person was said to have been crushed along Niger Road in the Ilorin metropolis while the driver was trying to escape the mob action.
The victims, LEADERSHIP gathered, were rushed to Ilorin General Hospital for treatment.
The spokesman of the Nigerian Correctional Service in the state, Adegbulugbe Olumide, in a statement, confirmed the attack on the facility’s vehicles by suspected hoodlums.
The statement reads: “Today, 19th of October 2023, at about 09:14am, some hoodlums in a premeditated move at Ọja Oba roundabout boisterously made a tumultuous attempt to broke into the convoy of the custodial vehicles conveying high profile inmates, which include, AbdulAzeez Adegbola (Tani Olohun) to the court. This resulted in a pandemonium which saw the Correctional vehicle damaged, shattered and battered.
“These obviously led to injuries sustained by both Okada riders and some of the custodial personnel. Two of the custodial vehicles which managed to secure their passage were again waylaid and attacked at Niger Road junction. The personnel of the Correctional Service were able to manoeuvre their way to the court.
“However, those who sustained injuries have been moved to the hospital for medical attention and are responding to treatment. No life was lost so far.
“The Nigerian Correctional Service appreciates the all sister agencies for synergy demonstrated, we also assure the public of an harmonious relationship at all times.”
The spokesman of Kwara State Police Command, Okasanmi Ajayi, who also confirmed the incident, said normalcy had been restored at the scene of the incident.
He said the Police would take necessary steps to ensure justice was done in the matter.
