One killed, several injured as hoodlums clash with suspected cult members

One person was killed and several others injured after hoodlums clashed at the ferry area of Oworonshoki, Lagos State, yesterday.

Trouble started on Wednesday night after thugs alleged to be loyal to the Oloworo of Oworo, Oba Saliu Oloruntoyin, clashed with some suspected cult members.

The fight was caused by some thugs’ refusal to share N10,000 given to them by a truck driver carrying granite in the area.

It was gathered that two out of about 20 thugs who were present decided to sideline others and that led to a fight between the thugs. The areas affected in the fight were Lagos Street, Ewore and the waterside.

In the course of the fight, one of the men was stabbed on the neck with a jack knife and rushed to a hospital where he died.

Angered by the man’s death, his group took up arms and went after the other group in a clash that continued till Thursday morning.

Shops and school were shut as the hoodlums seized the opportunity to loot people’s property. They shot sporadically and injured two other persons in the process.

The hoodlums went from street-to-street smashing vehicles’ windscreen as well as damaging trader’s shops. The fracas brought to a halt commercial and vehicular activities in the area until the arrival of anti-riot policemen and soldiers.

A police source said all those arrested connected with the crime are currently being questioned at the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID), Yaba.

Deputy Police Public Relation Officer, Ifeanyi Iheanachor, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), who confirmed the attack, said rival hoodlums, who staged a reprisal attack on their members, carried it out.

He said three persons have since been arrested for their alleged involvement in the crisis.

“One person was injured during the fracas. He was rushed to the hospital where he was treated. The command has increased police presence in the area. However, normalcy has returned to the place.”