A team of security personnel on Wednesday thwarted an attempt by angry youths to raze down the Oyo state headquarters of the Shoprite shopping mall complex, situated at Ring Road, Ibadan.
People were seen run helter skelter when the massive edifice came under threat of attack yesterday along the Ring Road- Dugbe road.
The attempt came a day after the MTN Bodija, Ibadan office was razed down by some angry youths following the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other nationals in South Africa which began on Monday.
Some police officers from the Skynet security outfit of the Oyo state Police Command were said to have driven the angry youths away when they arrived the Complex in a bus and some motorcycles.
It was learnt that when the youths sensed that their planned action was foiled, they started hurling stones and other objects at the police men and officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) who were stationed at the complex to beef up security around the area.
The main entrance gate to the Shoprite complex was locked, while customers and visitors were politely turned back.
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One of the police officers who spoke on condition of anonymity with this reporter narrated how the security personnel foiled the attempted plan to vandalise and raze the complex, saying that the story would have been worst if there were no security personnel when the angry youths arrived the scene.
“It was when they sighted us here that they made a u-turn, and started shouting at us , that they should be allowed to retaliate against the South Africans . But we didnt allow they to carry out their intent. So, out of frustration, they started throwing stones and other objects at us and later left, “the policeman said.
When visited, the Dugbe office of the Smile network communications, also owned by South African company was under lock, while the Challenge office was opened, but later closed down later in the day.
Meanwhile, Oyo state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Shina Olukolu has warned against a planned demonstration by some group of people in the state.
While stating that the planned demonstration is an ill wind that would blow no one any good, the state police chief called on the organisers of the planned protest to desist from the dastardly act as the police would not tolerate any break down of law and order under any guise.
In a statement signed by Mr Olugbenga Fadeyi , a Superintendent of Police, the state police spokesperson , the Communication of Police appeal to the aggrieved citizens to remain calm and allow the government to use diplomatic to resolve the logjam.
The statement reads in part: “The attention of the police Command has been drawn by credible sources that some aggrieved Nigerians have perfected plans to carry out co-ordinated attacks on South African economic interest in Nigeria including Shoprite etc. The faceless organizers are advised to desist from this planned dastardly act as it is an ill wind that will blow no one any good.
“He equally stated categorically that the police in Oyo state wishes to seize this opportunity to appeal to the aggrieved citizens for calm and allow the government to use diplomatic means to resolve the log jam while he advised organizers of such protest not to allow it to degenerate to violence as social miscreants will capitalize on the opportunity not only to unleash mayhem and terror on innocent citizens but will also use the opportunity to loot shops and destroy goods worth millions of naira. As well as inflict injury or even kill innocent citizens who will bear the brunt of the mayhem.
The Commissioner of Police stated further that the police as the lead Agency in internal security will not fold its arms and allow any individual or groups to cause chaos or breakdown of law and order.
“He wishes to seize this opportunity to warn mischief makers, social miscreants and other criminally minded individuals who are bent on causing chaos or disorder in the state to have a rethink as the long arms of the law will catch up with them.
He therefore admonished Parents /Guardians to warn their children/wards who may want to be part of such clandestinely planned protest to desist from such evil plan/acts as it is inimical to our corporate interest and collective existence.
“Therefore, all the peace loving people of Oyo State are enjoined to go about their lawful businesses without any fear of molestation or threat from any groups or individuals as concerted efforts have been made to emplace effective security measures to respond adequately to any security threats from any quarters or groups who may be bent on disturbing the relative peace and tranquility being enjoyed by the law abiding good citizens of Oyo State. “