Authorities of the Osun State Police Command, on Sunday confirmed that normalcy had been restored after some hoodlums allegedly backed by some gunmen attacked a motor park located around Mayfair, in the ancient city of Ile-Ife.

It is recalled that factional crisis between members of the National Union of Roads and Transport Workers (NURTW), had caused tension within the state as gun welding men in uniforms engaged in gun fights in other to take over motor parks.

The NURTW had been polarised amongst members loyal to the newly inaugurated Kazeem Adewale, popularly known as Asiri Eniba and Nurudeen Alowonle, who is an appointee of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

However, a viral video sighted online by The Guardian, showed some gunmen firing sporadically at commercial buses and people at Mayfair, in Ile-Ife, forcing drivers, passengers, traders and passerby to scamper to safety.

Reacting over the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Osun State Police Command, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said assured that normalcy had already been restored, urging the public not to panic.

In a statement, Ojelabi said credible information indicated that a group of suspected thugs had gathered around the Mayfair Garage area of Ile-Ife, Osun State, where they became unruly, resulting in a temporary disruption of public peace and order.

The statement reads, “Upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police immediately directed the deployment of police operatives to the area to prevent further escalation and restore normalcy. The situation was brought under control through the use of minimal and proportionate force, while ensuring that the safety of members of the public and the protection of lives and property remained paramount.”

“In a related development, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Osun State, who were peacefully distributing Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) at Oyinlola DC Primary School, Ward 2, Odo-Otin Local Government Area, were attacked by about ten armed thugs. The hoodlums reportedly fired sporadically into the air and carted away three packs of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

“The Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, has condemned the incident in its entirety and has directed a comprehensive investigation with a view to identifying, arresting, and prosecuting all those responsible. Tactical and intelligence assets have been deployed, and efforts have been intensified to apprehend the perpetrators and recover the stolen PVCs.

“The situation in Ile-Ife has been brought under control, and normalcy has been restored. The Osun State Police Command reassures residents of Ile-Ife, Odo-Otin, and the entire state of its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property, as well as the maintenance of peace, law, and public order, “the statement added.