Members of the Otunba Gani Adams led Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) on Friday night prevented a gang of armed robbers from carting away money contributed by landlords in Ekerin community of Omi-Adio area of Ibadan, for the purchase of a new electric transformer for the community.
The dare – devil armed robbers, who stormed the Ekerin, Araunsan, Fatokun and Bako communities and raided about twenty different houses, were repelled by OPC led by the Chairman of the group in Ido Local Government Area, Alhaji Muritala Ifawale (a.k.a E le Omo buruku pa).
The armed robbers, numbering about twenty – five, carted away properties, including phones, laptops, jewelries and cash; and also injured some of the residents of the areas.
In Ekerin community, the robbers invaded residence of one of the executives of the landlords’ association and demanded for the money contributed by landlords for the purchase of a new electric transformer.
The landlords’ association leader, who refused to reveal his name, told reporters that the hoodlums threatened to kill him and his family members after he told them the money contributed for the transformer was not with him.
He, however, added that the arrival of OPC members led by Comrade Muritala Ifawale, salvaged the situation, as the hoodlums quickly jumped out of his house on hearing the sound of gunshots.
The OPC also prevented the armed robbers from raiding more houses in the areas.
There were exchanges of gunshots between the robbers and OPC members for about one hour, but the hoodlum reportedly took to their heels after exhausting their bullets.
Victims of the robbery attacks who reported the incident to police at the Omi-Adio Police station, blamed the invasion of the armed robbers on activities of churches in the communities.
Some of the victims who spoke with our correspondents under the cover of anonymity, said the noise from churches having night vigil programmes did not allow other residents to hear their shouts for help.
One of the victims, who simply identified himself as Baba Deola, said the shouts of “Amen” and “Alleluya” that rented the aired from churches in the area prevented neighbors from hearing their distressed calls
