Ten Injured In Modakeke Cyclists, Youths Clash

By Sola Jacobs

More than ten people were reportedly injured in Modakeke, Ife East Area office on Tuesday as suspected thugs and motorcyclists clashed in Alapata area in the town.

According to an eye witness account, who spoke with Osun Defender, there was normalcy in the area until noon when some group of young men invaded the motorcyclists’ union park and unleashed mayhem on members of the union.

The eye witness disclosed that one of the cyclists whose name could not be ascertained had been attacked by the suspected thugs which led to reprisal attack between the two groups.

In the attack, a leader of the street gang identified as Skete was slapped by a leader of the motorcyclists’ union, which led him to launch a refengeful attack on the cyclists at their union park at Alapata area.

The irate gang allegedly invited youths from Boosa and Alagbagun to join in the free for all where cudgel, cutlass and broken bottles were freely used.

Some shop owners quickly closed their shops to avoid looting by the two groups. Osun Defender learnt that it took the effort of police men from Division B, Famia road in Modakeke who used teargas to dispatch the gangs from crippling daily activities in the area.

A police source who preferred anonymity said the cyclists, as well as street gangs sustained different degrees of injury, but no one died in the street clash.

The source also identified “show of strength” as the main reason for the clash between the groups adding that all those connected with breach of public peace will be arraigned in court of law.

Investigations on Wednesday morning at Alapata revealed that normalcy had returned to the area, while the traditional ruler and community leaders in the area had stepped into the matter so that it will not degenerate to breakdown of law and order through a set of jobless youths in the area.