The Oyo State Government has demolished makeshift wooden and metal shanties in the Ojoo area of Akinyele Local Government Area following allegations that some of the structures were being used by criminal elements as hideouts and storage points for dangerous weapons.

The exercise followed a government directive issued after a stakeholders’ meeting convened in the wake of the violent clashes that occurred in Ojoo on July 7 and 8, which claimed two lives and heightened security concerns in the area.

The decision to remove the structures was reached during an assessment visit by the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, who led government officials and security agencies to the affected community.

During the visit, residents and other stakeholders alleged that some of the shanties had become safe havens for hoodlums involved in criminal activities, including the concealment of weapons and other illicit items.

Acting on the directive, a joint security team supervised the demolition of the structures as part of efforts to curb criminality and restore public order in the area.

Chairman of Akinyele Local Government, Akinwole Akinleye, said the exercise formed part of measures to forestall a recurrence of the recent violence and improve security within the council area.