Fresh graduate shot dead, many injured as hoodlums attack shopping mall in Ibadan

Some hoodlums suspected to be cultists have reportedly killed a fresh graduate and wounded many others during an attack at Shoprite Mall along Ring Road, Ibadan on Sunday night,July 25.

A witness, who preferred anonymity, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday July 26, in Ibadan that the deceased identified as Akinola Babatunde, was shot dead by the hoodlums at the entrance gate of the mall.

This led to pandemonium at the mall which resulted in the injury of an unspecified number of persons. The witness said that the attempt by the hoodlums to use the opportunity to loot from the mall was unsuccessful due to the quick appearance of security operatives which prevented the hoodlums from gaining access into the mall.

“I suspect those boys were members of rival cult group, trying to prove superiority here at the mall,” the witness said. “The incident started at a Club inside the Shoprite around 8:30 p.m. and those hoodlums later pushed themselves to the entrance gate where one person was killed”.

Spokesperson of the Oyo State Police Command, Adewale Osifeso, who confirmed the incident on Monday, said it was a case of ‘cult related violence” and investigation is ongoing.

“The incident occurred; comprehensive investigations are ongoing to apprehend all the culprits involved; update will be provided in due course,” Mr Osifeso stated.