5 people have been killed after suspected cult members
attacked residents of Ijora Bardia, in the Apapa Iganmu area of
Lagos State.
Those killed in the Monday attack were identified as Ramon
Oladejo, Lateef Abdullahi, Yusuf, Rasheed and Alausa.
According to Metro, Ramon, a meat seller in a market in the
community was on his way to work on the fateful morning
when he was shot dead. The Oyo State indigene left behind
a 27-year-old widow, Rasheedat, and four kids.
Another victim, Lateef, a 30-year-old motorcyclist was to be
appointed the chairman of the riders association when he was
killed.
Our correspondent gathered from multiple sources that the five
victims were shot dead by hoodlums known as the Aliwo boys.
The gang was said to be about 50 in number and carried
sophisticated arms.
A source, who pleaded anonymity said, “On Monday morning,
the Aliwo boys trooped out from across the bridge where they
have their base and blocked the main road.
“They cannot be less than 50. Many of them had guns and
opened fire on people on the road. Bullets hit 17 people
actually, but only five people died.
“The others were seriously injured and quickly taken to different
hospitals where they are receiving treatments.”
Among those in the gun-trotting crowd were men identified
as Labanba, Oye, Songa, Okelemele, Asarailu, Ahmed
Okada, Muliko, Last born, Kamoli and Omar.
When our correspondent visited the area on Wednesday,
there was still tension on some of the streets.
Afolabi Street, in particular was still deserted.
Two police patrol trucks were observed around Sule Lane
while one was sighted around Akoshile junction, where the
shootout reportedly occurred.
A resident, Feranmi Bolajoko, said the attack on Monday
might not be unconnected with a supremacy battle among
the motorcyclists in the area.
He said, “ This may be the reason why after they shot Lati
(Lateef), they also butchered him with cutlasses.
“After killing him, they snapped his corpse and started
circulating the picture to show they had finished him off.
“Lati was supposed to be made the chairman of the tricycle
riders after the death of the former leader.”
Our correspondent visited the home of another victim,
Ramon, on Akoshile Street.
His widow, Rasheedat, said, “He was going to work that
morning when he was caught in the crossfire on our
junction.
“I trade in petty things, so he had been the one taking care of
the family. I don’t know where to turn to.”
We gathered that Ramon and his family had only recently
relocated to the street.
It was also learnt that the hoodlums stole all the valuables on
him, including his mobile phone.
Ramon’s eldest son, Jamiu, 13, asked for help for himself and
his siblings ─ Selim, Yusuf and Kalid.
A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly
representing Apapa Iganmu, Muyiwa Jimoh, said the fracas
was a supremacy battle for a park, which had been ongoing
for some time.
He said, “We have however moved in security men to safeguard
the lives and property of the people. I was also born there and
can feel their pain and sorrow.”
A community leader, Chief Amuda Famuyiwa-Ojora, said the
traditional ruler of the community, the Ojora of Ijora, Oba
Fatai Ojora, had waded into the clashes several times,
without any result.
He added that some gangs from different parts of the state
usually joined in the mayhem.
He said, “The Monday fight was sudden and unexpected. This
clash is fuelled by thugs from Oshodi and Mushin. But we will
make efforts to intervene again.”
The Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command,
Kenneth Nwosu, said 27 suspects had been arrested.
“One Lateef Abdullahi, aged 30 years of Akorede area, Ijora was
killed during the clash. Twenty-seven suspects were arrested.
Investigations are ongoing to unravel the immediate and remote
causes of the incident,” he added.
[Reported By Samson Folarin PUNCH Metro] CLICK HERE TO READ FULL AND TOUCHING NIGERIAN CELEBRITIES BIOGRAPHY AND SCANDALS
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