Barely a year after an attack on the dreaded masquerade in Ibadan, Oloolu at Popoyemoja area, supporters of the masquerade and residents of the area again clashed, Wednesday.
Last year, the masquerade was attacked with machete and had his head bandaged but, Wednesday, no fewer than 16 vehicles were vandalised.
Already, three persons have been arrested by the Oyo State Police Command in connection with the fracas.
The incident, according to a source, happened in the evening when the masquerade visited two chiefs in the area.
The supporters who wore vests with inscription Odun Esan, meaning “year of revenge,” unleashed terror on their perceived enemies. Dangerous weapons were said to have been freely used.
One of the attackers was quoted as saying it was to revenge what happened to the masquerade during last year’s festival.
It would be recalled that it took the intervention of some chiefs to settle the crisis, last year.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP Olabisi Ilobanafor, said some hoodlums attempted to attack the masquerade with dangerous weapons.
She confirmed that vehicles were vandalised but said the owners were yet to be identified. The PPRO also added that three persons, Ibrahim Isiaka, Yakubu Isiaka and Fatai Bakare had been arrested.
The vehicles vandalized include Volkswagen Jeta car with registration number AG 483 SHK, AA 893 SHK, Toyota with registration number AB 470 AAB (Ogun), MUS 952 BE, Mercedes Benz marked EJ 161 ABC (Abuja), Merzedez with number MS 194 AAA (Lagos), AA 768 TUN (Ekiti), Ford car with number AJ 191 YNF (Oyo) and AA 102 RRU (Edo), Honda car with number EPE 452 BH (Lagos), AM 59 KSF (Lagos), and AR 19 NRK(Oyo) among others.