•Monarch’s palace attacked
THREE persons were feared killed at a cult clash which began in Oworonshoki, Lagos, on Sunday – Valentine’s Day – raged yesterday.
Many were injured, shops and vehicles were vandalised and property and cash looted.
The palace of the Oworonshoki monarch was pelted with stones and bottles, and occupants threatened with guns. Miyaki Street in Oworonshoki was a no-go area yesterday as fighting raged.
On Sunday around 8pm, a man simply identified as Monsuru, 25, was killed by a rival cult group on Atanda Alonge Street at a Valentine’s Day party in the neighbourhood.
His death infuriated his gang members who gathered around 11pm, stormed about four streets in the area and chased people with bottles, cutlasses and guns.
Two more persons were said to have died in their clash with the rival group.
They fought throughout the night and regrouped before 7am yesterday, throwing residents into panic.
It took the intervention of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) operatives, the Area H Command and the police station on Atanda Alonge Strreet to restore peace.
About 10 police patrol vehicles including an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) were deployed in the area.
The area was deserted when The Nation got there; even the sand dredgers who usually throng the lagoon were not seen.
A taxi driver who gave his name as Momoh, told The Nation that he was called by his wife to return home because “area don scatter.
“I did not return home yesterday (Sunday). I slept at the park and so, I was surprised this morning when my wife called me to come back that area don scatter.
“She told me the guys were just attacking anyone they see. That they took the body of Monsuru on a procession to the Oba’s palace, returned it to their area before they started fighting. They even threw bottles and stones inside the palace.
“She also said they were shooting sporadically and were destroying peoples’ properties. They vandalised more than five shops on this line alone and carted away all the drinks and money they saw.
“On Miyaki Street, I heard they also vandalised many buses, cars and shops too. Many were just running for their lives. I am certain they are cult boys. We have not had this kind of fight in this area for close to five years now.
“I heard two other people died but I do not know how true that is. But I also know that about five people sustained injuries. Some on their heads, I do not know their names,” he said.
A police source told The Nation that five persons have been arrested over the incident. Two of them, he said, were arrested in connection with Monsuru’s death. He said the suspected killers have confessed to the crime and were assisting the police in their investigation.
He said one person died in the fracas adding that three others were injured on the head and shoulder.
Police spokesperson Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said three persons have been arrested.
However, residents of Ferry, where Monsuru lived accused ?the monarch in the area of sponsoring the faction that killed Monsuru.
The deceased’s uncle, AlhajiMuftau Fowotade, said: “There was an issue between Monsuru and Sondoko boys about a month ago and he was stabbed in the hand. Sondoko is working for Oba Oworonshoki. He (Monsuru) was attacked by one of the Sondoko boys in the Papa area during a birthday party on Valentine day. They stabbed him in the chest and later died at the Gbagada General Hospital.
“This morning (Monday), I learnt Sondoko, Kabiru, who is a son of the king, and others in company with policemen came here and started shooting. According to what I learnt, Monsuru was also a cult member.”
However, the monarch, Oba BashiruOlohuntoyin Saliu, said: “?It was Eye and Aiye members groomed by one Mustapha that are causing chaos in this community. They caused pandemonium and attacked my father’s house. It was a lie that I sponsored Sondoko and others to attack people. They are not criminals?. They were even the ones who protected my palace; those thugs would have attacked me.”
