Political thugs kill three, injures others in Lagos

Ahmed Igbagbo

 

Hoodlums, suspected to be political thugs, have killed three persons in separate clashes in the Ajegunle and Lagos Island areas of Lagos.

Our correspondent learnt that while one of the two victims in the Amukoko, Ajegunle area was identified simply as Raimi, the deceased in the Lagos Island incident was identified as Ahmed Igbagbo. The third person had yet to be identified.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the thugs, who reportedly belonged to a cult gang known as Campos boys, caused mayhem at Akindele and Apata streets in Amukoko on Sunday.

Our correspondent learnt that two factions clashed in the area, and had a gun duel during which Raimi was shot in the chest. A woman was also reportedly shot in the buttocks.

Policemen from the Amukoko Police Division were said to have arrived the scene to curtail the crisis, but residents said it was to no avail.

Speaking with PUNCH Metro, a resident on Akindele Street, who begged to remain anonymous, said 12 other persons were injured during the clash.

He said, “Our street boiled throughout yesterday (Sunday). There was a clash between the Campos boys, and another group. They began to exchange gunfire on the street. Raimi was shot in the chest and he died. Twelve other persons were wounded and have been rushed to the hospital.

“When they left Akindele, they moved to Apata Street and killed two more persons. A woman who wanted to lock her shop was hit by bullets on the buttocks. The thugs are supporters of both the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.”

Another resident, who gave his name simply as Lukman, said political activities in the area had pitched the thugs and suspected cultists against one another, which was responsible for the mayhem.

He said, “Their fights bother mainly on money. They have been at daggers drawn for some months now as a result of the coming elections. Raimi was not even a member of the gangs, but they felt he was a threat to their activities. The police should intensify security in this area.”

While the unrest in Ajegunle was on Sunday, our correspondent learnt that Igbagbo was hacked to death in the Isale Eko area area on Friday.

According to a resident, Monsuru Sodiq, who claimed they were returning from the APC presidential rally at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Igbagbo was hacked to death by political thugs on the allegation that he stole a mobile phone.

He said, “We were all returning from the TBS. Around the Isale Eko area, they began to shoot at people. We all fled in different directions, but Igbagbo was not that lucky.

“They pursued him to a street and hacked him to death. They claimed he stole a mobile phone and they wanted to punish him.”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, confirmed that there were skirmishes in the Ajegunle area, during which two persons were said to have died. He added that the police division did not have the report.

He said, “There were skirmishes involving supporters of the same party in the area, and unconfirmed reports have it that two persons were killed in the skirmish. But we have no report of such at the police station.

“Normalcy has been restored in the area now. Meanwhile, visibility patrols and discreet surveillance have been activated.”