Young man shot dead as hoodlums clash in Mushin

 Three people are feared dead while 150 vehicles, 50 shops were destroyed when a fight between two rival gangs in Mushin area of Lagos, degenerated and resulted in violence.  

 

One of the those reportedly killed has been identified as Aji from Bida in Niger State. According to one Hassan Muhammed, he was shot dead at Mushin road by Kayode bus stop at about 11 am on Monday morning, November 16.  

 

It was gathered that the fight which reportedly started on Sunday night, during a social function organised at Alaafia street was said to have degenerated till Monday, November 16 and extended to Daniel street, Idi-Araba and Idi-Oro areas.

The hoodlums were said to have looted about 50 shops and carted away the items while about 150 vehicles were destroyed.

 

 

At Olusoga, Daniel, Awawu streets and environs, the hoodlums were said to have first damaged the transformer to put the area in darkness before using torch lights to loot and vandalize shops. 

 

The hoodlums engaged some street boys who tried to stop them, and 15 persons were injured in the process. They were treated by medical personnel in the area.

The hoodlums, however, returned in the morning throwing bottles, sticks, and stones. They warned residents not to take photos or or videos of their looting.

 

According to The Nation, another set of hoodlums came from Idi-Araba to attack the community. A resident of Awawu Street said her husband and neighbour’s cars were vandalised.

 

“We parked the cars in our compound. They threw all sorts of dangerous things that landed on the vehicles. We dared not go out,” she said.

Another resident, Wale, said the police ignored their calls for help. “They told us to deal with the situation as they will only come after the fracas. Please, help call whoever you know that can help us. We are under serious attack,” he said.

The hoodlums were chased away by some officers who later turned up, but they returned with guns and chased the officers away.

The Chairman of Mushin Local Government Area Emmanuel Bamigboye later visited the scene with reinforcement of police officers.

 

Bamigoye said the fracas was between two factions and lamented that the destruction was massive and unfortunate for the people trying to make a living.

“They go to each other’s area to destroy things and cause unrest,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lawmaker representing Mushin Constituency in the House of Representatives Bolaji Ayinla has urged the youths to embrace peace and stop destroying properties.

Commissioner of Police Hakeem Odumosu said 12 suspects have been arrested, adding that surveillance teams have been deployed in the affected areas.

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According to him, the police have continued clearance of identified black spots across the state. He added that some stolen police items have also been recovered.

“We have recovered some items that were stolen from one of the stations before it was set ablaze. We recovered some firearms and even some vehicles. I will be parading suspects arrested in the last one week tomorrow (Tuesday). I have deployed reinforcement to Mushin and there are surveillance teams there. The suspects have been moved to a safe place, out of Mushin,” he added.