There was pandemonium in Ibadan, Oyo State capital on Wednesday following report that some members of the dreaded Boko Haram have taken over a section of the Lagos-Ibadan express road.

As a result people from far and near started calling their relatives living in Ibadan not go near the road, while others advised that they should out of the state capital.

Many people who got the information expressed shock and disbelieve. They wondered how the dreaded men arrived at the express road most especially a Yoruba group had warned them to stay clear of Yoruba land.

Narrating his experience, a 70-year- old man, Ezekiel Bamgboye said he had gone to Ojoo area when he received calls from his family members residing in Abeokuta, Ogun State and Ado-Ekiti that there were Boko Haram people in Ibadan.

"When I got the news, it was shocking and unbelievable. I hurriedly left with a view of getting in touch with my wife and informed her about the situation.

"It was after a while that I realized that it would not be easy for them to get to the capital," he said.

When called for confirmation, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Oluyole Unit Commander whose jurisdiction covers the Ibadan end of the road, Sanya Adeoye, said he had received several calls from people asking about the actual situation of the road. He said that some of the people who were travelling from Lagos had called for confirmation before leaving, expressing fears.

According to him, several others have decided to call off their travelling plans for fear of killed by the dreaded group. He said some people have called from Abuja, advising that the FRSC men should stay away from the express road.

While describing as rumour, Adeoye said there was no sign of armed robbers on the road not to talk of Boko Haram.

Also, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Olabisi Ilobanafor told our correspondent that it was a mere rumour and warned members of the public against rumour peddling.

She called on the people to always report strange movements in the areas to the nearest police station for necessary action.

There had been report that 18 suspected Boko Haram armed with AK47 rifles, displaying their skills.

The reported added that nine policemen and 11 civilians had been confirmed dead by the gunmen while trying to stop them from shooting.