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.
PUNCH Metro learnt that 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.
PUNCH Metro had reported on December 29, 2014
that two youths were attacked while sleeping on Sule
Lane and shot dead, while several others were cut with
machetes as many vehicles were vandalised.
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."
PUNCH Metro 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.
Source: PUNCHNG
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