Pandemonium broke out in Ipata-Oloje/Okoolowo axis of Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State at the weekend over the killing of an apprentice of a second hand motor parts dealer.
The apprentice, identified as Abdullahi, was reportedly killed by a hoodlum and Indian hemp seller in the area, Azeez alias Olongbo, over a misunderstanding on the payment of a building fee.
A witness told City & Crime that Olongbo stabbed Abdullahi with a knife, but that realising that it had no effect on him, shot him severally until he died.
The development snowballed to a free-for-all as members of the auto spare parts market engaged Olongbo’s gang from Oloje, destroying vehicles and property in the process.
The spare parts dealers, it was gathered, later attacked the Oloje police station and chased all the officers on duty away for allegedly refusing to act when the case was reported because of the fear of Olongbo.
On Sunday, the Kwara State Old Motor Spare Parts Dealers Association, Ipata-Oloje, announced the closure of the market for two days to mourn the deceased and “allow peace to reign” in a statement jointly signed by Gidado Ahmed and Gani Elemosho, secretary and treasurer respectively.
The spokesman of the police in the state, Ajayi Okasanmi, told Daily Trust on Sunday that no arrest had been made yet.
Okasanmi had earlier in a statement while confirming the incident said the police commissioner had ordered a full scale investigation into the incident.
