Graduate shot dead, others injured as hoodlums attack shopping mall in Ibadan

A fresh graduate was reportedly shot dead while many others were wounded when hoodlums suspected to be cultists attacked Shoprite Mall along Ring Road, Ibadan on Sunday night, July 25.

NAN reports that a witness, who preferred anonymity, revealed that the deceased identified as Akinola Babatunde, was shot dead by the hoodlums at the entrance gate of the mall.

According to the witness, people at the mall started running helter-skelter when the miscreants struck which led to the injury of an unspecified number of persons while attempt by the hoodlums to break the glass door of the mall to loot was unsuccessful.

He said the quick appearance of security operatives further prevented the hoodlums from gaining access into the mall.

“I suspect those boys were members of rival cult group, trying to prove superiority here at the mall,” the witness said.

“The incident started at a Club inside the Shoprite around 8:30 p.m. and those hoodlums later pushed themselves to the entrance gate where one person was killed,” the witness said.

Spokesperson of the Oyo State Police Command, Adewale Osifeso, who confirmed the incident on Monday, said it was a case of ‘cult related violence” and investigation is ongoing.

Mr Osifeso said that, “The incident occurred; comprehensive investigations are ongoing to apprehend all the culprits involved; update will be provided in due course.”