Confusion In Osogbo As Two Rival Gangs Engage In Gun Duel Over Murder Of Member

Residents of Old Garage and Oke -Fia area of Osogbo , the state capital of Osun were on Thursday thrown into confusion following sporadic shootings by two rival gangs over the death of Ebenezer Abiola, who was said to be an aide to Sunday Ighoho.

Middle-aged Abiola, was reportedly murdered last week Wednesday in the Oke Fia area of Osogbo, by some unknown gunmen.

Abiola was said to have returned to Osogbo from his base in Ibadan, Oyo State, few days before his death.

He was reported to have settled a quarrel between two rival gangs penultimate Tuesday at a popular relaxation centre near the Government House Annex, Oke Fia, Osogbo.

It was learnt that the deceased intervened in the supremacy battle involving a group loyal to a leader of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in the state and a rival group.

Abiola, sources said, prevented members of the rival group from engaging one another in a free-for-all.

The deceased, it was gathered, was later attacked around 3am on Wednesday last week by some gunmen, who were reportedly displeased with his earlier intervention.

Meanwhile, in what appeared like a reprisal attack, a heavily armed gang fierce-looking men stormed Old-Garage area in Osogbo on Thursday around 8:30pm and open fire into the air.

Traders, commuters and passersby in the busy area were said to have scampered for safety to escape being hit by stray bullets.

An eyewitness who is a trader at Old Garage informed our correspondent that the thugs arrived in a bus and started shooting.

The eyewitness who craved anonymity explained that the shooters were there to rout out alleged killers of Abiola.

The gang was said to have been confronted by another gang who opened fire on them.

As at the time of filing this report, there is a severe tension and fear in the capital city as the news of the shootings has gone round.