Mob Killing Over Alleged Robbery Triggers Deadly Violence in Oyo

What started late Tuesday as a supposed robbery attempt at a Point-of-Sale (POS) outlet in Ojoo, Ibadan, turned into deadly mob violence. This unrest led to at least two deaths, many injuries, and property damage. Because of this, a large number of security personnel were sent to the area.

The violence broke out near the Strabag area in Ojoo, Akinyele Local Government Area. This incident showed how quickly one act of jungle justice can lead to greater unrest. It affected local businesses and raised concerns about ethnic tensions.

Eyewitnesses told reporters that the trouble began over a disagreement between a commercial tricycle rider and wheelbarrow pushers regarding a failed POS transaction. However, the Oyo State Police said their early findings indicated that four young men tried to rob a POS operator of his mobile phone.

Ayanlade Olayinka, spokesperson for the Oyo State Police, said residents caught one of the suspects, Abeeb Olajide, after the others ran away. He was badly beaten by the mob before police saved him and took him to a hospital. Sadly, he was pronounced dead there later.

"The suspect was severely assaulted by the mob before he was rescued and rushed to a nearby medical facility. He was subsequently referred to the State Hospital, Moniya, where he was confirmed dead while receiving treatment," the statement mentioned.

This mob killing led to more violent attacks in the community. Mr Olayinka reported that another victim, Kamorudeen Abdulrasheed, died later from injuries sustained during the chaos. He added that an investigation is underway to find out how he died.

"The circumstances surrounding his death are currently under discreet investigation to ascertain the exact cause and circumstances," he said.

The police also confirmed that six makeshift shops filled with condemned plastic materials were set on fire during the violence. Firefighters managed to put out the fire.

The police arrested four suspects linked to the killing. They were moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Iyaganku for further investigation on the robbery attempt, the mob action, and the public disturbance.

Some residents who saw the incident gave different accounts from the police's early findings. An eyewitness, speaking in a video shared by Lagelu FM, said he was shot in the chest. He explained that the trouble started when the tricycle rider had issues completing a cash withdrawal due to network failure.

According to him, the rider offered his tricycle keys and mobile phone to assure the POS operator he would not run away. An argument broke out when the POS operator raised an alarm, leading to an attack on the victim. "He told them, this is my tricycle’s key, this is my tricycle, and this is my phone. I can’t run away," he said.

The witness claimed that someone suddenly slapped and stabbed the rider, who later died in the hospital. His death made his colleagues and relatives very angry, leading to widespread violence.

Another resident, Azeez Olamiposi, said armed men showed up during the clash, and gunfire resulted in another young man's death while many others were hurt.

PREMIUM TIMES could not confirm the eyewitnesses' stories independently.

As the violence spread in the Strabag and Ojoo areas on Wednesday morning, many traders closed their shops quickly. Operators at the Ojoo Motor Park also stopped their activities. Many residents fled the area as security forces, including police, the Nigerian Army, NSCDC, and Amotekun, arrived to restore order.

Police reported that the security operation prevented more loss of life.

During a visit to the affected community on Wednesday, Oyo Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal urged residents not to turn this incident into an ethnic conflict. He stressed that crime should not be linked to any tribe. "The civil unrest in this area has been instigated by criminal elements," Mr Lawal said. "Criminals are simply criminals, and criminality has no tribal identity."

He also said that every Nigerian has the right to live anywhere in the country. He warned that the government would not let criminals use the incident to start ethnic violence. "We have already commenced profiling and investigating those involved. Anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law, irrespective of whether they are Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, or from any other ethnic group."

The deputy governor asked residents to leave the area to allow security agencies to investigate properly.

The Oyo State Police urged the public to hand over suspects to law enforcement instead of taking the law into their own hands. They also asked community leaders and youth groups to help prevent criminals from using the incident to stir up communal or ethnic violence.

Police assured residents that security had been strengthened across Ojoo and other key locations in Ibadan while investigations continue.