Drug abuse causing mob attacks in Oyo, says commissioner

Bayo Lawal, the Oyo commissioner for local government and chieftaincy matters, has blamed the use of hard drugs by youths for the frequent gang wars and violent mob attacks in Ibadan, the state capital.

He stated this at a meeting with traditional rulers and security agencies in Ibadan, on Tuesday.

The city has witnessed a wave of mob attacks in recent times, the latest being an attack on a police team in Mapo area, where two suspects earlier arrested by the police were forcefully freed.

The mob had also stormed the Mapo police station, but the residents were dispersed by security operatives.

Moses Alao, the special assistant (print media) to Seyi Makinde, the state governor, in a statement on Tuesday, noted that among those who attended the Tuesday meeting were local government officials; Owolabi Olakulehin, Balogun of Ibadanland; other chiefs, and local security outfits such as the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC).

Briefing newsmen shortly after the closed-door meeting, Lawal said the governor was worried about the attacks, and had ordered an investigation to address the situation.

“As claimed by the stakeholders, hard drug (use) is one of the major causes. Some of these youths are juveniles, and the parents failed to perform their duties. If parents give their children proper orientation, proper counselling and care, they won’t be on the streets supported by hard drugs,” Lawal said.

“The purpose of the meeting was to act on the frequent crises being led by hoodlums within Ibadan north local government area.

“We were able to collate the causes, and we have been able to gather the solutions from various stakeholders, which we will still further analyse and work out modalities of taking effective steps.”

He added that the state would take proactive measures to address the issue, stating that insecurity can only be solved through collective efforts.