Funmi Olaitan, Ibadan

Factional groups of Odua Peoples Congress(OPC) on Monday turned some areas in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, namely Oke-Ado, Oke-Bola, Imalefalaafia, Liberty road and Anfaani, into battle field, leaving residents scampering for safety. 

It was learnt  that the crisis was between New Era faction  and another loyal to National Coordinator of the group and Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Mr Gani Adams.

The  crisis was seen by the residents as been the most fatal in recent times. While no life was lost, it was gathered that the two groups mobilized members from the nooks and crannies of the city for the attack.

Residents and shop owners scampered for safety leading to closure of most shops, houses and restrained movement while properties and goods meant for sale worth millions of naira were destroyed.

Properties affected include some shops beside popular Kola Eleja store, and a newly built white structure opposite Conoil filling station which had its frame glasses shattered.
 
The twin roads leading to the inner market were deserted while broken bottles, planks and glasses littered the street linking the market junction.

It was learnt that a state chairman of one of the factions had misunderstanding with some members of the opposing camp at a party at the weekend and the confrontation, sources said continued ‪till Sunday evening‬ while the two factions attacked each others’ camp, deep into Oredein/Akuro area ‪from Sunday evening till Monday morning.‬

The sources further said that the New Era group which believed that their rival had upper hand during the attacks; right from the weekend party, decided to take their own pound of flesh early ‪Monday morning‬.

“Though there are several angles to the perennial crises along Oke-Ado axis, but this particular one is purely between two factional OPC groups; New Era and faction loyal to Gani Adams.

“At the weekend, a state chairman living around Oke-Ado went to a party and accused a member of the other faction of not paying homage to him. This accusation resulted into confrontations between the two groups, each justifying their stand.

“Surprisingly, on that occasion, the two factions used dangerous weapons to press home their demands. The New Era group seems to have upper hand. So, by weekend, the other group unleashed their strength on the New Ear group, hitting them down to Oredein, Akuro down areas. As I learnt, early this morning, the New Era group determined to revenge waged war straight to the state chairman’s domain, decided to strike", one of the sources said.

The sources further said that the attack was foiled because their foe, who probably had got wind of the impending attack, had taken refuge outside the area, adding that on their way back from his abode, they angrily opened fire in the air, destroying properties.

However unconfirmed reports informed that they specifically target properties of likely close business associates, friends and family members of  the rival group within the vicinity.

The development thus forced  the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abiodun Odude, to shelve the weekly Monday meetings with senior officers to mobilize sectional crime control officers to the scene of the incident.