Panic as suspected hoodlums burgle shops in Osogbo

By Isa Isawade

There is a growing panic among traders at the Old Garage area of Osogbo, Osun State capital, following the burglary and vandalism of their shops overnight on Tuesday.

The traders, who are mainly Igbo phone accessories sellers, claimed they left their shops intact on Monday night only to arrive on Tuesday morning to discover their display glass boxes broken.

Shards of broken glasses were seen scattered on some of the shop floors, while the display glasses clearly carried signs of having been forcefully hit.

Speaking during an interview, the President of the Traders’ association, Mr Ifeanyi Peter Okoye, said the traders discovered the damage when they arrived at their shops in the early hours of the morning to commence their normal business activities.

According to him, several of the glass panels used in their shops had been broken.

Okoye said the traders had, for the past two days, allegedly received threats from some individuals identified by them as area boys operating around the garage.

He alleged that the threats were connected to the traders’ presence at some public events, including a birthday celebration of the wife of the state governor and another event held to celebrate the victory of Governor Adeleke.

Okoye complained bitterly that business was being affected and buyers were avoiding their shops owing to fear of possible attacks by the hoodlums.

Another trader, Anayo, who spoke, said, “Since Saturday, we have been getting threats from these hoodlums. They have made good their threat to destroy our business.”

Others who spoke without identifying themselves, out of obvious fear of the unknown, also confirmed the situation, claiming that they are being targeted for reportedly showing support for Governor Adeleke during and after the just concluded elections.

The Osun State Police Command is yet to react to the incident.