Residents of Egbatedo Street in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, were thrown into confusion yesterday, when members of two notorious armed gangs engaged in a bloody clash.
A gang from Ita-Olokan area of the town allegedly stormed Egbatedo at about 2pm to unleash terror on a rival group and residents of the street.
After the clash that lasted several hours, many people were critically injured, including the thugs and some unlucky residents.
No fewer than 20 cars parked by residents and those, who came to a commercial part of the street, were vandalised by the thugs, who wielded dangerous weapons.
Till 5pm, residents, who locked themselves indoors and shop owners, who fled the area, refused to come out on the street.
commercial motorcyclists, known as Okada riders, stopped plying the route for fear of attack.
A resident, who preferred anonymity, said about 20 people were critically injured.
Another resident, Sunday lamented the damage done to his Nissan car.
He said: “I parked this car here two weeks ago. I want to sell it and use the money to buy motorcycle to do Okada business. When these thugs came, instead of facing their fellow thugs, they vandalised my car.
“Now, I don’t know what to do again because this car is my only hope of survival.”
Some residents of Egbatedo Street accused some policemen from Dugbe Police station of leading the thugs during the attack.
They alleged that about five residents were whisked away to an unknown place by the invading thugs.
When contacted on telephone, the police spokesman, Mr. Egbedele Ajibade, said he was yet to receive information on the clash.