Two feared dead as party supporters clash in Lagos

TEARS were said to have flowed freely from the eyes of relations and sympathizers in Amukoko area of Lagos State last Sunday, when hoodlums engaging themselves in a fight allegedly killed two persons.

  Supporters of a political party were in their campaign train at Apasa Street, Amukoko when hoodlums in the area allegedly shot a man identified as Raimi. The revenge by hoodlums from another street called Akindele allegedly led to the death of another, while over 12 were wounded. 

 An eyewitness, one Lukman disclosed that, “The hoodlums shot Raimi in the eye. They ran closer to him and rained more bullets into his chest to ensure that he died. Raimi was a very gentle person who never liked trouble. He was not a member of any cult group. So after he was shot dead some hoodlums from Akindele Street, otherwise known as Campus Boys, who were accompanying members of the political party in the rally, reinforced and exchanged gunfire with Apasa Street hoodlums.” 

 “Campus Boys killed four people during the process. Over 12 people were wounded and rushed to the hospital. One of those rushed to the hospital also gave up the ghost on the way. A woman who wanted to lock her shop was shot in the bottom during the process. The supporters of the party took to their heels as there was pandemonium”.

  Another man who identified himself simply as Akeem, who lives on Aro Street where late Raimi lived disclosed that,  “Campus Boys and Apasa hoodlums had been at daggers drawn for some years now. The Campus hoodlums were ready to fight at any time and likewise Apasa hoodlums. So it was another opportunity for them to meet and fight. After Apasa Boys killed Raimi on their street, Campus Boys killed four of them in retaliation. Raimi was killed in error. The Apasa hoodlums believed Raimi was one of the Campus Boys, so they shot him”.

  Policemen from Amukoko Police Station were said to have arrived the scene after the fight.

 Lagos State Police spokesman, Kenneth Nwosu, who confirmed the incident noted: “There was a skirmish involving supporters of the same party around Apasa area of Amukoko during a house to house campaign in the neighbourhood.   Unconfirmed reports have it that two persons were killed in the skirmish but we have no report of such at the station. Normalcy has been restored in the area as visibility patrol and discreet surveillance have been activated.