Two die as Lagos hoodlums clash, loot shops

Two people have been reportedly killed in a clash between two cults on Iya Agan Street, in the Ebute Metta area of Lagos State.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the cultists, who engaged one another in a free-for-all with different weapons, including guns, also looted shops in the community.

Our correspondent learnt that the fight, which happened on Sunday, created tension in the area.

The Chief Security Officer, Lagos Mainland Local Government Area, Ishola Agbodemu, said one of the cultists, whose stomach was torn with a knife by a member of the rival group, later died in a hospital.

The deceased’s cult was said to have gone on a reprisal, killing a member of their rival.

Agbodemu said, “We have two cult factions in Ebute Metta West: Kogbagidi Boys, led by Wewe Anointing, while the other group, Fagbayimu Olokodana Boys, was led by Skipoo (late), Kokobiri and Omo Simbi.

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“Since 2010, they had been tormenting the neighbourhood. About two weeks ago, one of Olokodana’s Boys, called AZ, started terrorising Ilaje Otumara village in Mainland Apapa Road and all efforts to get him arrested was frustrated by his group. But this morning (Sunday), while they were returning from a street carnival, the two groups met at Iya Agan Junction and started fighting.

“We quickly intervened that they should not start the New Year with a fight. I also spoke to their leaders on the phone to call them to order; those boys work with the National Union Road Transport Workers.

“Not long after we pleaded with them, I was at a burial when I was called that the boys had started killing one another. When we got to Otumara Ilaje, the Olokodana Boys had looted shops; they used a knife to tear the stomach of one of the other group’s members called Iya Oshe and also stabbed another person in the neck and they were rushed to a hospital.

“Iya Oshe died in the attack and in a reprisal, the other group went after the Olokodana group and killed one Abbey at Joseph Lambo Street, Apapa Road.”

PUNCH Metro learnt that after calm was restored, the hoodlums returned to the community at night with weapons and robbed residents.

Our correspondent gathered that the matter was reported at the Iponri Police Station as community leaders and the alleged faction leaders were invited for a meeting at the police station.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Adekunle Ajisebutu, did not take his calls which rang out.

He had also yet to respond to a text message sent to his telephone line as of the time of filing this report.

Punch