Teenagers stabs three to death during daylight robbery

It was a day of tears and loss on Freeman and Borno streets in the
Oyingbo area of Lagos State when teenagers, armed with cutlasses and
knives, attacked and looted shops, while some traders were injured in
the area.
Firstclass newsline learnt that the teenagers, on the fateful day
went to Old Apapa Road, Oyingbo, and stabbed three persons to death.
Firstclass newsline learnt that during the attack on the two streets,
which lasted for about 30 minutes, the teenagers, who traders said
numbered about 30, invaded the area at about 3pm and ordered the
traders to leave their shops.
A source learnt that the hoodlums injured traders who did not obey
them on time, forcing others to abandon their wares and scamper to
safety.
The hoodlums were reportedly led by one Idris Aloma, who was said to
be based in the Sawmill, Okobaba area.
When the source visited the streets on Monday, two security officials
in the area ─ Ishola Musibau and one Beckley ─ took the source round
the Oyingbo Market area to observe the damage.
Some of the traders told firstclass newsline that the assailants' ages
ranged from 15 to 20.
One of the attacked victim, Bolaji Olumofe, told firstclass newsline
that one of his workers was severely injured and was currently
receiving treatment in a hospital.
He said, "The boys were no fewer than 30. Most of them were wearing
white shirts. They had weapons like cutlasses and guns with them. They
invaded the streets, and started entering shops at will.
"They went after traders and workers. One of the workers is being
treated in a hospital as we speak. They stole television sets and
handsets. It was a daylight robbery.
"These boys were in three factions. One of the factions claimed to be
mourning one of their leaders who was killed on Thursday. The second
faction came later to Borno Way and attacked traders there too.
"The incident occured for about 30 minutes. The teenagers went towards
Freeman Street, shooting and daring residents to come out. The
policemen from Denton division later came, but the hoodlums had fled."
Also in Borno Way, two women who were robbed and injured told
firstclass newsline that except for the weapons that the hoodlums
wielded, they were not older than their (women) children.
One of them said, "We were robbed at about 2.30pm. I have a
refrigerator and I sell frozen foods. The boys just barged in with
cutlasses and knives and began to seize bags and aprons. I lost about
N300,000.
"Everyone flee away because of their number and weapons. My neighbour
deals on phones; they took all the phones after collecting her money.
She has not come to the market since then."
A source also learnt that workers at the Sawmill, Okobaba area, had
sent a petition to the state Commissioner of Police to rid the area of
hoodlums.
The security official, Musibau, noted that the hoodlums
wereFagbayimuandKogbagidiboys, who, he claimed, had been arrested and
granted bail on several occasions.
He said, "The violence started in the Sawmill, Okobaba Estate area on
Friday, where two of the hoodlums were killed. The faction there
mobilised to old Apapa Road on Saturday and killed three persons in a
reprisal.
"It was after then that they moved to the market area, and began to
loot shops and attack the traders. The hoodlums are known
asFagbayimuandKogbagidiboys. They have ring leaders such as Taoreed,
LekanSondoko, Ajayi and others.
"One of the persons they killed on Old Apapa Road is identified simply
asYoyo-the-tailor. It was a full-scale onslaught. The vigilance groups
are going after these hoodlums. We cannot allow them to continue to
harass and terrorise our women."
Firstclass newsline learnt that while business activities had returned
to both streets, some of the shops were still closed.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Patricia Amadin,
confirmed the incident.
She added that four suspects had been arrested in connection with the violence.
She said, "Four suspects were arrested on Monday in the area. They are
in the custody of the Area C Police Command, Surulere."
Firstclassnewsline.net