Scores of hoodlums said to be political thugs, whose affiliation could not be immediately ascertained, on Tuesday wreaked havoc on residents around the Emir's Palace, Ile-film and Bolanta areas of Ilorin, Kwara State.

The development led to a pandemonium in the areas as the hoodlums were said to have wielded and attacked both people and properties with dangerous weapons such as machetes and broken bottles.

Business activities were paralysed as shop owners hurriedly locked their shops and fled in different directions while the mayhem lasted.

The miscreants were also said to have vandalised some vehicles parked along the roads in the affected areas.

The distressed residents also fled the affected areas to neighouring streets such as Gegele  and Pakata areas that were not affected by the fracas.

Punch correspondent, however, learnt that the hoodlums did not attack the Emir's palace.

A source, who pleaded not to be named, claimed that the violence was a fallout of the jostling among the thugs for political positions and patronage.

The Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Olufemi Fabode, confirmed the attacks in a telephone interview with The Punch correspondent on Tuesday.

He said 16 suspects had been arrested in connection with the mayhem.