Four killed, 9 arrested as hoodlums clash in Lagos

Four killed, 9 arrested as hoodlums clash in Lagos


Four persons were, Tuesday, killed in a renewed fight between factions of social miscreants in Otto and Ilopo areas of Apapa, Lagos, while several others were injured.

Some houses were reportedly set on fire by the rampaging hoodlums who also attacked the home of a traditional ruler in the area. Several vehicles were also destroyed in the fight that forced some of the residents to flee their homes.

Among those hit by stray bullets were an eight-year old boy whose parents were said to be fleeing the war zone and a vulcaniser, who was rushing out of his shop.

 FIRSTCLASSNEWSLINE gathered that Tuesday’s fight was a reprisal by hoodlums from Apapa road on Otto residents. The lingering battle was reportedly power tussle over control of parts of the area.

The attack took residents unaware as the hoodlums, numbering over one hundred and armed with dangerous weapons including guns, reportedly fired sporadically.

A resident, Mr Hyginus Ogbonna said: “They even stormed the palace of the Oloto of Otto, Oba Ganiyu Odesanyan, while he was having a meeting with some of his chiefs.
“Several vehicles parked in the premises were vandalised.

Everybody ran in different directions when they started shooting. I even missed members of my family in the process.

“They set some houses on fire. They said they were avenging the death of one of their own by hoodlums from Otto. We do not know when this war will end.“

It reportedly took the intervention of conventional and mobile policemen to quell the situation. As at yesterday, most of the buildings and shops were still under lock and key as the owners who fled were yet to return, apparently for fear of being caught in the hoodlums’ web.

Contacted, the Lagos State Command Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Lelma Kolle, said: “Nine persons have been arrested in connection with fight that led to the death of four persons.

“The situation has been brought under control and policemen are on surveillance around the areas to nib any likely reprisal attack in the bud.”