Some youths suspected to be thugs on Saturday reportedly attacked a popular juju musician, Yinka Ayefele, in Ijare town in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State, disrupting his performance.
It was learnt that the musician was invited to the town to entertain guests at a burial ceremony held at Odo Oja street in the town but the hoodlums were said to have disrupted the performance. No fewer than 15 people were reportedly injured during the attack.
Though Ayefele was reported to have escaped from the scene unhurt, some of his band boys were not lucky as they were reportedly beaten when the hoodlums discovered that their leader had escaped. Some of the guests were also beaten by the hoodlums.
According to a source, the thugs complained that Ayefele got N3m for the performance and could not give them money from the performance fee.
Before the attack, the source narrated that the leader of the hoodlums sent one of his boys to the Ayefele, band leader to ask for the “ boys settlement” but was turned down.
The gang leader was said to be infuriated about the feedback and mobilised his boys to the venue of the party.
In other not to cause trouble, Ayefele’s band leader was said to have told the hoodlums to exercise patience till the end of the party.
After few minutes, when there was nothing for the thugs, the source said they broke bottles and plates at the party venue and destroyed the tent, tables and chairs.
It was also gathered that Ayefele was smuggled out of the venue of the party when the hoodlums moved towards the back of the state where to reach the musician. Some of the guests were also beaten by the thugs.
Normalcy was reportedly restored after over one hour when the security men dispersed the hoodlums.
However, the Public Relations Officer of the state Police Command, Mr. Femi Joseph, said there was no official report of the incident.
Also, efforts to get the musician’s comment proved futile as calls to his telephone number indicated that it was switched off.
