By Michael Ofulue

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Fear have gripped residents of Olope, Ijoka area of Akure, the Ondo State capital over incessant vandalisation of their vehicles by suspected hoodlums and miscreants.
Reports reaching The Hope Metro indicated that no fewer than four vehicles parked in the premises of owners’ in the community have been torched by hoodlums.
The night marauders, who normally operate at midnight were said to have visited about four houses where they reportedly broke the windscreen of two ‘Muscle Camry’ and Honda Accord cars parked in front of the owners’ residents.
Sources said the hoodlums, after damaging the windscreen of the said vehicles, ransacked the vehicles in search of money, ATM cards and valuable items.
Residents of Olope, who identified herself as Adesola, said the hoodlums ‘modus operandi’ is when they visit their victims’ houses, they would break the windscreen of any vehicle they met on ground.
She explained that the activities of the criminals are becoming unbearable, saying for the past two weeks, residents have been sleeping in with one eye opened.
According to her, the criminals target residents where exotic cars are parked, anticipating that the owners will always keep money or ATM and valuable items inside the vehicles.
She attributed the recent increase in the rate of crime and criminality to the approaching. Yuletide period and bad economy as a result of unpaid workers’ salaries.
While calling on the security agencies to come to their aids and save them from miscreant attacks, she said the government must tackle the situation before it got out of hand.
A competent police source who confirmed the development, said some of the cases were not reported at the police station as victims decided to resign to their fate.
He, however hinted that the police as will continue to do its best to guarantee the safety of all and sundry.
He called on the general public to cultivate the habit of furnishing the police with useful information that would help bring crime to the barest minimum.