3 feared dead, others injured as youths clash in Lagos

Three persons have reportedly lost their lives in the past two days following a fight between
youths of Shibiri and Etegbin communities in Ojo area of Lagos, over collection of levies from tipper drivers transporting dredged sands from waterside. Vanguard learned that trouble started when youths from Etegbin community confronted  Shibiri’s youth, who have been collecting toll fees from the truck drivers. The situation later degenerated into a fracas.

Reports said they unleashed terror in both communities by killing no fewer than three persons while several others were seriously injured.  The injured are currently receiving treatment at Vineyard Hospital in the area.  One of the victims during the fracas was said to be a member of National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, in the area. 

When Vanguard visited the scene, Etigbin road and most of the streets were deserted as pebbles,  broken bottles and shattered glasses from wind screens littered the entire stretch of road from Shibiri last bus stop to Etigbin.  Vehicles, shops and business centres were not spared as they were destroyed by the rampaging youths. 

Schools were also temporarily shut down pending when the crisis would subside and normalcy restored as school authorities could no longer guarantee the safety of pupils in the midst of the fracas. Also heavy presence of policemen in their patrol vans from Illemba/ Hausa, Ajangbandi, Badagry divisions, Lagos Metro police and OP Mesa were seen at Shibiri last bus stop ensuring that normalcy is restored. 

A landlord in the area, Abiodun Leye, who spoke to Vanguard over the ugly development, lamented the extent of killings and destruction that took place in the communities. According to him; the whole area was like a war zone yesterday when the crisis started. Residents could not come out of their houses as the hoodlums’ wielded guns and cutlasses, unleashed terror in the community. If not for the timely arrival of policemen later, they would have killed more people. 

However when contacted, the Lagos State  Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Chukwuma Ozoani, a DSP, said only one person died, while seven others were injured. 

He said:  “The cause of the fight was as a result of a breach of a peace agreement. This led to an attack, Monday night, which led to the death of one person, with seven others injured.” 

The cause of the problem was suspected to be the collection of levies from tipper drivers . Police on their part condoned off the area and took the injured to the hospital.