Seven feared dead, property looted as hoodlums unleash terror in Lagos

At least, seven persons were feared killed and property worth millions of naira carted away as some bandits unleashed terror on Ijora Badia community in Lagos State.

Two other persons were said to have sustained injuries from the gunshot of the hoodlums during the clash, which occurred at the weekend.

Dangerous weapons, which included locally-made pistol, long guns, charms and machetes were freely used during the mayhem, which lasted three days.

A marketing worker of Leadway Assurance Company, identified as Muyideen Saka of 30B, Baale Street, another, Wasiu Ajani of 42, Baale Street and a trader of northern extraction who resides at Suara Street were among the residents shot dead by the bandits.

A victim named Wasiu Yusuf, who also lives at 42, Baale Street and also sustained gunshot injury was rushed to Baraka Private Hospital for medical attention.

Another victim identified as Wasiu Jimoh of 36, Church Street, however escaped unhurt but had his household property, estimated at millions of Naira, carted away.

Similarly, residence of the founder of Liberty Church of Zion, Primate Ayanfe Ikuyinminu, located behind Ajeromi Primary schools among others were also looted by the hoodlums, carting away cash and household items.

It was gathered that the four other deceased persons, two of them identified simply as Ejima and Noah were members of the two warring gangs that unleashed the terror.

It was also learnt that 16 suspects were arrested when the DPO of Badia Police Station, CSP Idyar Apev, led his men and a team from the Anti-cultists unit to Railway line while the shoot out lasted.

However, residents have claimed that the real culprits responsible for the carnage have not been arrested. They alleged that the mayhem was caused by members of two rival gangs named “Suara and Railway Boys”.

The residents, who spoke under the condition of anonymity for fear of being attacked, identified one Sunday Temetan, Yomi Idowu, Biliami and Lati Suara as leaders of the notorious gang, describing them as deadly shooters.

According to an eyewitness, trouble started last Sunday when some armed youths invaded the Railway line section of the community, shooting sporadically and injuring some residents. They were said to have been repelled by the Railway boys, who chased them towards the white sand area of the community and killed two gang members.

“Following the killing of the two Suara boys, they regrouped yesterday and launched a reprisal on the Railway boys and also killed two among them named Ejima and Noah. In their bid to retaliate, the Railway boys chased them and they ran in the direction of Baale and Church streets where they turned into a theatre of war. They shot Muyideen and Wasiu (a.k.a Orobo) in their stomach and Yusuf on the leg. While Wasiu died instantly, Muyideen died in the hospital,” the source, who is one of the community leaders, stated.

He added that the community leaders have engaged the services of members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) to partner with the police to protect the community.

As at the time of filing the report, efforts at getting the comment of the police public relations officer, CSP Chike Oti, on the incident proved abortive as he failed to respond to calls put across to him.