Again, Unknown Gunmen Struck In Ondo Leaving Six Dead

By Ayodele Oni

For the second time within a week, unknown gunmen have  struck in Ondo State killing six persons.

The incident, which happened Wednesday night in Ondo town is coming five days after the gruesome attack on St Francis Xavier  Catholic Church Owo, by suspected terrorists, which led to the death of several persons.

Sabo area of Ondo town, which haboured mainly Hausas, where the incident happened, became a ghost of itself after the Wednesday night attack.

It was gathered that the gunmen were on motorcycles when they carried out the latest attack, shooting into the crowd of people, some of whom  were relaxing after the day’s job.

Another source said the bandits also robbed some residents of the area of their valuables before they left the scene.

It was further gathered that the dead bodies of the deceased could not be immediately packed from the scene as people took to their heels to avoid being shot.

Spokesperson of the State Police Command, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, said the Police authority was aware of the incident.

The Police Command in a statement said: “The attention of the Ondo State Police Command has been drawn to a fake news being peddled by some mischief makers to cause panic, tension and strife in the State.

“The Command wishes to state clearly that there was no reprisal attack on the Hausa Community at Sabo area in Ondo town or any part of the State as purported by the war mongers.

“On Tuesday, 7th of June, 2022, there was an attempted robbery on a J5 vehicle with plate no MKA – 469 YJ carrying Onions and Potatoes coming from Zaria enroute Ore, had a stop over at Ondo town and was attacked by men of the underworld around 0110hrs .

“In the cause of this attempt, the robbers shot the driver , while the motorboy escaped with bullet injury, a motorcyclist alongside the pillion and a passerby were also hit by stray bullets

“It is however disheartening that, these peddlers who are out to achieve no good did not confirm the story before spreading this falsehood as the victims involved in this failed robbery are from Yoruba, Igbo and Northern extraction.

“Investigation has since commenced and effort is ongoing to arrest the assailants.

“On this note, the Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Oyeyemi Adesoye Oyediran, psc, fsi, urge the people of the state to remain calm and disregard the fake news, as the rumour mongers are out to stir unnecessary chaos and disrupt the peace of the State.

“This is also to warn the peddlers of this fake news to desist as the Command will not fold its arms and let them shatter the peace being enjoyed in the State.”