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By Christopher Oji, Lagos
Two persons were killed and many injured in a fight between supporters of two warring native rulers of two communities in the Ojo area of Lagos.
The youths who were armed with dangerous weapons went gaga and extended their terror on residents and commuters at Otto-Awori and Ijanikin Communities in the local government area.
Six susoects have so far been arrested in connection with the attack while policemen from the state anti-crime outfit, the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) have been deployed to the scene at the instance of the state Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi.
Daily Sun gathered that some urchins who are also members of different cult groups used the opportunity to attack themselves in a free for all fight.
Traders at the popular Vespa market in Ijanikin hastily closed shops as some of the hoodlums started breaking into shops to loot.
The hoodlums stole phones and other valuables from travellers on the Mile 2-Badagry expressway.
It was gathered that they also blocked the Badagry Expressway, grounding vehicular movement in the axis.
A witness, Manual Eze, said that violence broke out following disagreements between two monarchs in the area.
“I learnt that one of the monarchs was planning his 15th anniversary, which irked supporters of his rival. The monarch’s rival started singing songs that infuriated the celebrant’s supporters replied and they started attacking each other. Two persons were killed. Many people were also injured. The two bodies were that of some of the cult guys who were attacking themselves.
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Another witness, Wasiu Lambe, said that part of the problem was an alleged assault of an Awori native by a masquerade participating in the celebration.
“To protest the assault on the native, hoodlums wielding Dane guns, machetes, charms and other dangerous objects, were said to have ordered vehicles to turn back. Motorists who attempted to resist them were beaten up and their vehicles vandalised.
He claimed that Policemen attached to Ijanikin Division located not far from the violent spot could not contain the situation and retreated into their station.
Meanwhile, residents have protested the assault meted on Chima Emmanuel, by operatives attached to Ijanikin Division.
Emmanuel, it was gathered, was attacked Wednesday evening and left for dead at Iyana-Era Bus Stop.
He was said to have been on a bike when a policeman used a big stick to hit his head following a disagreement between the cop and the commercial rider who carried him.
Trouble was said to have started after the rider refused to give the policeman the usual money for plying the expressway. Out of annoyance, the cop, it was gathered, lifted the stick to hit the rider but he dodged it and it landed on Emmanuel.
Six suspects have been arrested with respect to the attack on motorists and traders, while reinforcements from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) have been deployed to restore normalcy.
Lagos State Police spokesman SP Benjamin Hundeyin said the investigation was ongoing with respect to the assault on Emmanuel.
On the violence, he said: “We are fully aware of the ongoing trouble at Ijanikin area of Lagos, while officers and men of Ijanikin Division are fully on the ground, reinforcement has been despatched. Meanwhile, the road has since been reopened. We are closely monitoring the situation.”
