By Ahmed Ajikobi
No fewer than 13 suspected hoodlums from different communities have been arrested by men of the Kwara State Police Command over the recent attack launched on Lakanla community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state, last Sunday, Pilot Crime has learnt.
Those arrested are reportedly farmers and students.
It was gathered that the suspects are natives of Ebama, Koloko, Tunku, Nda-Gada,Osin, Kpase, Boribo, Emi-Suru, and Ndaracita Villages all in Edu Local Government.
Those arrested are Al hassan Mohammed, Musa Mohammed, Samson Ndako, Sulaiman Ibrahim, Baba Al hassan, Usman Isa and Nafiu Usman.
Others are Mohammed Adams, Jubril Mohammed, Mohammed Ahmed, Abubakar Benu and Ibrahim Kolo.
It was further gathered that two dane guns and 14 motorcycles were recovered from the suspects.
According to a police source, “The suspects were arrested following a distress call to the area commander’s office at Bode- Saadu that a group of hoodlums led by Hussaini, Ndadoko, Danladi, Ndama had unleashed terror on Lankala community.
“They invaded the community and began to attack the villagers with guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons. Motorcycles and food stores were burnt while thirteen motorcycles, four vehicles, tractor, shops and eight houses were razed, “the source added.
It was further learnt that eight persons, namely: Anidu Mohammed, Sulaiman Abdulahi, Lawal Atanda, Yahaya Akanbi, Abdulraheem Mustapha, Yusuf Adio, Ganiyu Yakub and Yusuf Ismail were seriously injured and hospitalised.
“Two sheep were killed, cash and other valuables were carted away by the suspects,” the source further revealed.
The police source said 13 suspects, including students and farmers were arrested in connection to the crime while others are now at large.
“The case was transferred to Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department of Kwara State Police headquarters for discreet investigation on the matter.
“Investigation revealed that the suspects conspired to perform the devilish act on Lakanla villagers and destroyed their property.
“The suspects have also confessed to the crime. Investigation is ongoing as the suspects are still working with the police to reveal the hide out of other suspects, who are now at large, “the source added.
When contacted via telephone call, the chairman of Edu Local Government, Umaru Belle described the attack as barbaric.
Belle said he has visited the crime scene and appealed to the community to remain calm, assuring that justice will be done and perpetrators would be brought to book.
Efforts to get the spokesperson of Kwara State Police Command, DSP Ajayi Okasanmi to react to the development, proved abortive as calls to his mobile phone did not connect.
It could be recalled that this medium had reported that property worth millions of naira were destroyed as residents of Lakanla, Koloko, Ebama and Ndaracita in Ifelodun and Edu Local Government Areas of Kwara State reportedly clashed around 9:30am penultimate Sunday, over land dispute.
There was tension in the affected communities as a house, five cars and eleven motorcycles were reportedly either burnt or destroyed, leaving seven people injured in the fracas.
