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Tag: hoodlums clash

  • Dispatch rider, one other killed as hoodlums clash in Fadeyi

    Two persons were confirmed dead on Wednesday when a fight broke out at Fadeyi, Ikorodu road area of Lagos State among hoodlums popularly called ‘area boys’.

    The Nation gathered the two persons were a dispatch rider killed by a stray bullet when he rammed into the scene and an unidentified man from the hoodlums.

    Police officers, stationed at the area to maintain orderliness, confirmed the killing, adding they have deposited the corpses at the morgue.

    Although Fadeyi is noted for incessant cult clashes, residents of the area confirmed the fight was between two factions of “area boys” of two streets in Fadeyi.

    The fracas, according to eyewitnesses, broke out around 11am with sporadic shooting that left people scampering for their lives and the federal road closed down for hours.

    Residents, who spoke with our correspondent, were not certain of the cause of the clash between the two factions of the hoodlums.

    “The crisis is not a small matter. Immediately the shooting started, the police on ground ran away, because those boys were heavily armed.

    “They were not carrying pistols. I don’t know how to describe their guns, but the guns they carried surpassed that of the police in terms of the sophistication.

    “It was after the whole crisis has simmered that the police and some SARS officials came to the scene,” a resident of the area said.

    Our correspondent, who visited the scene, met high presence of patrol vans and armoured personnel carriers of the Lagos State Police Command on the ground.

    Remnants of broken bottles, blood spills and sticks littered ground of the street.

    Residents, who also sustained various injuries, were also seen receiving treatments on the street.

    The residents feared they may be reprisal attacks due to the ‘high profile’ person killed from one of the factions.

    A resident, who prefers not to be named, said similar incident occurred sometime last year when the hoodlums stormed the street and carted away items from traders, including six motorcycles from a park.

    According to the residents, number of death recorded from fighting in Fadeyi this year alone stands at five.

  • Polls: Two killed, many injured as hoodlums clash in Lagos

    Two persons were on Thursday feared killed and many others injured after hoodlums clashed in Oto Awori, Ijanikin, Lagos.

    It was gathered that the violent clash which started around 1pm in the Lagos community continued till about 5pm was between loyalists of the All Progressives Congress (APC) State House of Assembly Candidate for Ojo Constituency II Alhaji Suleiman Raji alias Jafo and those of former Chairman Oto Awori Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Kayode Robert (Bibire).

    It was gathered that the hoodlums vandalised no fewer than 35 vehicles parked at a nearby workshop and looted shops while they blocked the expressway for several hours.

    Already, armed policemen and soldiers had been deployed to the community to prevent any reprisals, while the two traditional rulers- Oni Ijanikin and Oloto of Oto have addressed the parties and other subjects on the need for a violence-free election.

    According to residents, trouble started after Raji, who doubles as Chairman ANACOWA Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association, an affiliate of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) led his supporters to campaign at Oto Owori. It was gathered that Raji’s campaign train which had hundreds of motorcyclists from Ojo had gone to the palace of the Oni Ijanikin and from there went to pay homage to the Oloto of Oto.

    They were however shut out of the palace by angry supporters of Robert, who felt their godfather and son was denied a chance at the Lagos House of Assembly because of Raji and had earlier warned that the candidate should not come to the community to campaign.

    A mechanic Taiye Akanbi said that the youth’s action was followed by sporadic gunshots from thugs in the entourage of the candidate which was reciprocated by those loyal to the former LCDA chairman.

    “What followed is gunshots fired by those on the campaign train of Jafo. Bibire’s boys returned the fire. The first person that was killed was matcheted by Jafo’s boys” he said.

    Another resident Sesan Adedayo alleged that a young man was beaten to death, adding that those injured were rushed to a hospital at Cele Bus Stop, Ijanikin.

    He said the campaigners imported motorcyclists and hoodlums from Ojo to cause mayhem, adding that they were armed with cutlasses, broken bottles and knives which they used freely.

    Condemning the incident, the Oloto of Oto Oba Josiah Olarewaju Ilemobade said he was still shocked by the show of power exhibited by the hoodlums.

    Ilemobade who spoke through the Balogun of Ato Awori Chief Rufus Fatogun accused Jafo of failing to call his supporters to order despite being a palace chief.

    He said Jafo’s action appeared premeditated going by the hoodlums on his train and the arms they carried.

    “His boys damaged well over 35 vehicles including three parked in front of the palace. One person was severely injured but thank God that no one died in the fracas. It was not a campaign because no party leader was among those who came only members of Okada riders and owners association.

    “He did the same thing during the primary election last year. He brought his boys to beat up party delegates and that was how he emerged the party’s candidate. With the election barely 24 hours away, he has come to destroy the work our youths have done for APC.

    “The Oba went round in the morning to appeal to the youths not to allow the incidence dampen their moral.

    “The police did not help matters at all. It took them over an hour to get to the palace which is less than five minutes away from the station. And when they eventually arrived, they started firing indiscriminately. It was the soldiers that brought normalcy to the area,” he said.

    Contacted, police spokesman Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent (CSP) said no one died in the fracas. Oti said about two persons sustained injuries and few cars were vandalised.

    According to him, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Yomi Faniyi immediately mobilised to the scene when he got information about the incident, adding that he also held meetings with the factions Thursday evening.

    “The two people who sustained injuries were taken to the hospital, treated and discharged. No one died. It was a clash between supporters of a political party. Few vehicles were vandalised and the Local Government Chairman has promised to repair the vehicles,” said Oti.

  • Scores injured in traders, hoodlums clash at Idi Araba

    Scores were injured during a clash between traders and hoodlums at Idi-Araba Market, on Monday night.

    The clash was sparked by a stolen phone.

    Calm has returned to the area, but many shop remained shut yesterday.

    Butchers also stayed away from the market.

    Some traders gathered in groups to discuss the clash. They were apprehensive of a resurgence.

    About six police patrol vans were at the market. Armed policemen paraded the area. A van of the Lagos State Task Force and Mobile Court was also there.

    A food vendor, who simply identified herself as Mummy Angela, said the fight occurred around 11pm on Monday.

    She said: “I sell food at Idi-Araba Street. I had closed and gone home when the incident occurred, but I was told what happened. Homeless boys usually sleep on this street, but last night (Monday), they gathered, covered their faces such that only their eyes, nose and mouth could be seen so that no one would identify them.

    “About 11pm, they trooped to Idi-Araba market and started fighting the young boys at the market, who retaliated.  Many people were injured. I learnt that a boy was attacked with a machete. He sustained injuries in the head and is in hospital. I gathered that another boy was injured in the chest and he bled a lot. Although I did not hear that anybody died. ”

    A refrigerator technician Baba Sodiq, said he was sleeping in his shop when he heard noises. He said he did not come out.

    “Those boys who fought are jobless. I am here for business. I cannot let those small boys disturb my life. Since they did not attack my shop, I did not go out to meet them. I learnt that a phone was stolen from a hoodlum who sleeps at Idi-Araba Street. He and his friends attacked the other group and this led to the fight.”

    He said the boys fought throughout the night, adding that peace was restored following the arriaval of the police yesterday morning.

    Another food vendor said she only heard about the fight.

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    Police spokesman Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent (CSP), said the fight involved suspected hoodlums who sleep in the market.

    He said about 15 of them had been arrested, adding that they will be arraigned after investigation.

    “Markets in Lagos State close by 6pm according to the laws guiding operation of markets, except night markets. Nobody is supposed to sleep in the market and nobody should be in the market at the close of business. But these boys sleep in the market. Both groups are illegal. However, our intervention restored law and order.

    “We are appealing to the people to ensure that nobody sleeps in the market and other markets. At the close of activities, everybody should go home and allow security operatives to function,” Oti said.

     

  • Seven feared killed as hoodlums clash in Lagos

    •Police arrest 35

    Seven persons have been feared killed, others injured and belongings looted after hoodlums went on the rampage in Lagos.

    It was gathered that the incident occurred last week at Badia, a Lagos slum, during a bloody clash between rival groups, the Suara Youths and Railway Boys.

    Although the cause of the incident was yet to be ascertained, it was learnt that it was not unconnected to the money allegedly given the hoodlums by some politicians.

    Suara Youths, armed with guns and shooting sporadically, were said to have invaded the railway line area of the community.

    The Nation gathered that the Suara Youths injured residents, but were later repelled by the Railway Boys, who allegedly killed two of the invaders.

    Angered by the death of their colleagues, the Suara Youths were said to have regrouped last Monday, attacked the rival group and killed Ejima and Noah.

    It was learnt that the Railway Boys chased the invaders and they ran towards Baale and Church streets, where a gun war ensued.

    “They shot Muyideen and Wasiu (aka Orobo) in the stomach and Yusuf in the leg. While Wasiu died instantly, Muyideen died at the hospital the following day.

    “They raided people’s homes, stealing money and household items. The fight continued till Tuesday. Community leaders have engaged the services of members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) to partner the police to protect the community,” said a source.

    The Nation gathered that among those killed in the clash that lasted three days were a marketing staff of Leadway Assurance Company identified as Muyideen Saka, Wasiu Ajani both residents of 30B and 42 Baale Street, an unnamed trader said to be resident at Sura Street, one Ejima and Noah.

    It was learnt that Ejima, Noah and two others killed belonged to the gangs that went on the rampage.

    A source said Wasiu Yusuf sustained gunshot injuries and was taken to Baraka Hospital, adding that the 36, Church Street home of Wasiu Jimoh was looted.

    Also looted was the home of a cleric,

    Primate Ayanfe Ikuyinminu, located behind Ajeromi Primary School.

    The Nation gathered that 16 suspects were arrested by a team led by Badia Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Idyar Apev, a Chief Superintendent (CSP).

    It was learnt that operatives from the Anti-Cultism Unit of the Police Command were deployed in the community and they recovered expended cartridges at the railway area.

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    The suspects, it was gathered, were being interrogated and might be paraded soon.

    Police spokesman Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent said detectives discovered three bodies after the batle on Tuesday, ading that they took the victims to the hospital where they were confirmed dead.

    He said the police arrested three persons directly linked to the murder and handed them over to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) for investigation while 32 other suspected cultists in the area were apprehended.

    Oti said: ‘‘We received distres call that cultists were involved in supremacy battle and policemen were swiftly deployed to the area.  When they got to the scene, three bodies were found on the ground. They took them to the hospital but eh victims were confirmed dead on arrival.

    ‘‘Three person directly linked to the murder have been arrested and handed over to SCIID Panti. 32 others were arrested. Some of them are being held at the Anti-Cultism Unit while others are at FSARS Ikeja.

     

  • Three feared dead as hoodlums clash in Ibadan

    Three people have been reportedly killed in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, during a hoodlums clash.

    Some residents were injured in the mayhem, which started on Tuesday night.

    A source said residents of Abebi, Oloosa Oko, Oopo-yiosa and Orita-Merin fled their homes.

    Hoodlums engaged anti-riot policemen, who were drafted to restore normalcy, in a gun duel.

    The source said the crisis started when a popular Fuji musician came to Gbagi, a densely populated area, to perform during the May 1 Gbagi Day celebration.

    A member of the Security Committee, who preferred anonymity, told reporters that the crisis started when the musician gave money to some hoodlums.

    He said the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the area, Chief Gbenga Akinyemi, who was appointed by the local government to maintain peace, was not around when the mayhem started.

    The member said when the CSO was alerted, he called the DPO of Mokola Police Station to deploy his men in the areas.

    A resident told The Nation that “we could not sleep last night when the hoodlums arrived before the rain.

    “We appeal to security agencies and the government to rescue us, because we don’t know what will happen if these boys fight the police again.”

    Anti-riot policemen were in the areas yesterday.

    Command spokesman Adekunle Ajisebutu, who confirmed the incident, said he was unaware of the casualty.

    “I’m not aware of any death. However, there was public disturbance by the hoodlums. The police responded and restored normalcy. Some people have been arrested. Investigation is on.”

  • Two feared killed, others injured as scavengers, hoodlums clash in Ojota

    At least two persons were on Thursday night feared killed and about 15 others injured after some scavengers and hoodlums clashed at Ojota.

    The incident which occurred at Gida Panli, Kotomola, around Ojota New Garage, was said to have continued Friday morning leading to the destruction of some properties.

    It was gathered that the clash was between hoodlums and scavengers.

    The Nation learnt that the fight broke out after the scavengers attacked a  youth, who earlier had a scuffle with one of them.

    Angered by the assault on their brother, hoodlums at Ojota grouped themselves and attacked the scavengers.

    They were said to have used bottles and cutlasses at will, destroying motorcycles belonging to innocent road users.

    It took the intervention of the police and sister agencies for normalcy to be restored in the area.

    A source said: “There was a misunderstanding between two Youths. One  reported the other to some area boys and they settled the issue.

    “But one of them  was disatisfied  and went with some of his brothers to attack the other man, which made the area boys angry. They retaliated and that was how the clash started. Traders had to vacate the area and many Hausa people had been chased away.

    “I learnt two people were killed.”

    Contacted, police spokesman, Chike Oti, a Superintendent of Police (SP) said there was no casualty in the clash, adding that some arrests have been made.

    He said the command was currently investigating the cause of the clash and that policemen had been generously deployed to maintain peace.

  • Many injured, property vandalised as hoodlums clash in Agbado

    Many residents of Agbado Railway Station in Ogun State were injured yesterday during a clash among rival cult groups.
    The hoodlums, suspected to be members of Marindoti, Farm, Federal and Bolar cult groups, were said to have engaged in fierce battles near Agbado Station.
    It was gathered that the fight, which started last week, was caused by the parties’ rivalry over women.
    The hoodlums allegedly used weapons, such as cutlasses and bottles to inflict injuries on each other.
    They were said to have destroyed shops, vehicles and homes, littering the area with shattered glasses.
    Although nobody died in the mayhem, it was gathered that shop owners, motorists and passersby sustained injuries.
    “The youths seized the opportunity to rob and loot shops and houses in the area,” a resident, who spoke in confidence, told The Nation.
    Police spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said he was unaware of the incident.

  • Two feared killed, 15 injured as hoodlums clash in Ladipo market

    Two feared killed, 15 injured as hoodlums clash in Ladipo market

    Two persons were yesterday feared killed and 15 others including a man, John Vincent, injured after some hoodlums clashed at the Ladipo Market in Mushin, Lagos.

    The crisis, which began around 8am over illegal ticketing, snowballed into an ethnic fight between Igbo traders and Yoruba residents.

    Residents of Odushina, Olapeju, Oloje, Akinwunmi streets and environs fled as vehicles were vandalised.

    As of the time The Nation visited the area, tensions were high as residents threatened showdown. They claimed that one Kazeem Owoseni, 28, and another unnamed man were butchered to death. Others, including Aguda and Alabi were lying unconscious at the hospital.

    A young man, Babalola, who claimed to be a Navy Captain, lost his Mitsubishi Outlander car.

    Babalola, who said he brought the vehicle to his mechanic on Monday, gave a 24-hour ultimatum for its replacement or a fresh violence will erupt.

    The residents who took to the streets to protest the destruction of their homes, called on the government to relocate the market.

    It was gathered that trouble started after the hoodlums scrambled over collection of ticket money from a car that parked in the area, which left one person injured.

    In retaliation, one Aguleri, leader of the Ladipo Executive Council’s Taskforce, who claimed to be acting under the orders of the union’s President allegedly, led the hoodlums that wreaked havoc.

    Another account of the fracas indicated that it started at Olapeju Street after a sand seller identified as Iyiola Okunade alias Baba Kekere stopped Aguleri’s boys from blocking his wares.

    According to the aged man, Aguleri aka Miracle, who said he was acting under the instruction of the Union President (Segun), pushed him and he retired into his home.

    “The union is biased and they are the problem here. The Igbos are hiding under the union to wreak havoc.

    “I usually come out in the morning around 6am to pack sand from the gutter with my wheelbarrow because that’s what I sell in front of my house. So, I had used my barrow to block my frontage so that no car will park there and cover my wares.

    “Suddenly, one man came and said I must leave there. He pushed me and people came to settle it. So, I went into my room and then I started hearing shouts,” he said.

    Another victim, Bishop Julius Oridota, pastor in charge of Christian Evangelical Assembly lamented that the hoodlums burnt his vehicle and attempted to set his church ablaze.

    Accusing the police of injustice, he claimed that after showing them the arsonist and they was arrested, the said Aguleri bribed the police and they were released.

    “They initially arrested the guy who set the car ablaze but when Aguleri bribed them, they left him,” he said.

    An inconsolable man who claimed to be Owoseni’s brother threatened to avenge his death, accusing policemen from Olosan station of corruption.

    “Kazeem heard noise that there was a fight. He came out to know what was happening and they butchered him to death. They killed my brother. Aguleri and his people have killed my brother.

    “Policemen from Olosan gave them cover. Our police are not helping us. I saw three police people. Aguda came there to find out what was happening and they cut his head. Same thing happened to Alabi. Alabi is in a comma,” he said.

    Chimezie Felix, a trader, who came to buy spare parts from Ladipo market, was stabbed at the back while carrying his goods to his shop. He was rushed to Mount Sinai hospital at Olanibi Street.

    Mushin Local Government Executive Secretary Jide Bello, who visited the scene, urged the people to maintain peace, assuring them that investigation will be conducted and those found guilty punished.

    “I am not aware of casualties at the moment but you can see that a lot of destruction happened here. I am only suing for peace now. We are going to investigate the cause of the problem and find lasting solution. I do not believe in tribalism. We are all one Nigerians and so, we will pursue peace,” he said.

    At the time of filing this report, policemen from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and the Area D Command were on ground to avoid a recurrence.

    Police spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent (SP) said no death was recorded, adding that four persons sustained injuries.

    She said: “No single death recorded, four men injured and rushed to the hospital. The fracas ensued after a fight between two people over buying of foods. The command’s operatives from Area D, RRS moved in and normalcy has been restored. The Commissioner of Police has ordered full scale investigation into the matter.”