Hoodlums Unleash Violence In Lagos Community

Hoodlums on Thursday unleashed violence on residents and commuters at Ijanikin Community in Ojo Local Government Area (LGA) leaving several people injured.

The rampaging crowd suspected to be cultists were said to have disrupted activities at the Shoe/Bags and Textile Market causing traders to scamper to safety.

It was gathered that they also blocked the Badagry Expressway, grounding vehicular movement to and fro Lagos in that axis.

According to sources, the violence broke out following disagreements between two monarchs in the area. It was learnt that one of the monarchs was planning his 15th anniversary, which irked supporters of his rival.

It was learnt that part of the problem was an alleged assault of an Awori native by a masquerade participating in the anniversary celebrations.

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, said a driver who witnessed the incident.

He claimed that Policemen attached to Ijanikin Division located not far from the violence spot could not contain the situation and retreated into their station.

Stranded commuters who attempted to seek refuge at the station till morning, were turned back by the policeman on guard duty who said he was not authorised to open the gate for anyone, it was alleged.

There have been cult clashes in Ijanikin and Oto which have left no fewer than three persons killed.

Meanwhile, residents have protested the assault meted one Chima Emmanuel by operatives attached to Ijanikin Division.

Emmanuel, it was gathered, was attacked Wesnesday 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 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.

An eyewitness, Olalekan Muyideen, said immediately Emmanuel fell and collapsed, all the policemen drove their van away from the scene, abandoning him.

“It was passers-by who helped him. At first, everyone thought he was dead, until some people came closer, and rushed him to the hospital as he was bleeding profusely,” he said.

Emmanuel, who spoke from his hospital bed, said: “I was traveling to the village for my in-law’s final burial. Because of traffic I boarded a commercial bike from Agbara to Maza-Maza. On our way, at Iyana Era bus stop, some policemen wanted to collect money from the bike man but he wanted to be smart so he refused.

“Immediately one of the officers hit a heavy stick on my head. I fell off the bike, it was some good samaritans that rushed me to the hospital.”

Six suspects have been arrested in respect to the attack on motorists and traders, while reinforcements from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) have been deployed to restore normalcy.

Contacted, police spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said 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 State. While officers and men of Ijanikin Division are fully on ground, reinforcement has been despatched. Meanwhile, the road has since been reopened. We are closely monitoring the situation.”