Tension over 61 Hausa youths in Ibadan • Residents claimed they were Boko Haram • They are not Boko Haram – Police

Posted by admin Boko Haram, Headlines Thursday, January 12th, 2012

THERE was a heightening of the tension in Ibadan Tuesday night, following the discovery of 61 Hausa men concealedin a van. The fear of Boko Haram made those who discovered them raised the alarm which attracted attention.

The suspects were arrested at Olusanya, Ring Road by some protesters during the ongoing nationwide strike.
Nigerian Tribune learnt, on Wednesday, that the suspects were loaded in a van with registration number YB 232 KLT (Gombe).

An eyewitness told the Nigerian Tribune that the suspects were led by some people inside a Black Jeep.

On getting to Olusanya, the occupants of the Jeep were said to have opened fire to scare away the protesters.

But the protesters were adamant as they blocked the vehicle which conveyed the suspects.

The driver of the van, it was gathered, initially told the protesters that there was no one in the bus.

When the protesters forced the door of the vehicle open, they discovered 61 young man who were from the northern part of the country.

One of them, Shehu Maida, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune, said they were coming from Benin and they were on their way to Gombe State.

Maida who claimed to be a pepper seller at Sasa, Ibadan, Oyo State, said that he met them at Ogere, Ogun State and that he was only trying to assist them.

According to him, the suspects were coming from Benin but suspects did not the know the road to Gombe.

“I have my business in Ibadan. I don’t know them and they don’t know me. They are coming from Benin on their way to Gombe State,” he said.

Nigerian Tribune learnt that the prompt arrival of policemen saved the situation as the protesters threatened to attack them.

They were, however, taken to Orita Challenge Police Division for interrogation.

But in a swift reaction, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Femi Okanlawon, said that those arrested were not Boko Haram.

He confirmed that only 46 of the Hausa people were arrested and that they were only trying to escape from the troubled Benin.

“There is no Boko Haram in Oyo State, those allegedly arrested by the hoodlums fled from Benin as a result of the religions crisis in Benin. They are trying to flee,” he said.

Meanwhile, as the nationwide strike declared by Nigeria Labour Congress enters its third day, policemen in Oyo State have arrested some hoodlums for allegedly hijacking the protest.

The PPRO told the Nigerian Tribune that some of the hoodlums who attempted to burn two police stations in the state capital had been arrested.

He confirmed that the miscreants had on Monday vandalised NEPA installations.

-Tribunewp_posts