Gang member killed over sharing formula

Punch reports that the victim identified as Small Messi said to be in his 20s, was hacked to death by other members of the gang known as Akamaye Boys in the Ijora Badia area of Lagos State during the disagreement.

It was gathered that the hoodlums had robbed a woman of her valuables like jewelry, money, and phones in a hotel in the early hours of Friday, February 17, 2017, and escaped to their hideout in the neighbourhood to share the loot.

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But trouble allegedly broke when Small Messi who was said to be with the loot, declined to release the items, forcing the others to rush at him and stab him to death.

A resident of the area who gave his name as Deji said the gang members descended on the victim with machetes and hacked him to death and fled the area before the arrival of policemen from the Ijora Badia Division.

“Akamaye Boys are notorious in Ijora. Those boys are dreadful. They rob people, molest ladies and perpetrate all sort of immoral things.

I learned that they had gone to rob a woman who lodged in a hotel around here and stole her jewelry, money, and phones.

They were many. An argument ensued over the sharing of the loot and Small Messi who was with the items refused to release them.

That was how the argument degenerated into an attack. I heard the boy (Small Messi) groaning with pain, but I was afraid to come out of my room.”

Another resident said he was on his way to work when he saw the corpse of the victim.

“I was going to my place of work on Friday when I saw Small Messi’s corpse on the ground. I do not know what led to his killing, but people said there was a disagreement between him and his gang members.

There were machete cuts in his head. Thugs have turned this place into a war zone and residents are no longer living in peace. I usually return from my workplace in Apapa around 10 pm.

When I am almost at Ijora, my heartbeats increase because of these boys. If I have the means, I would have packed out of this area. We are appealing to the police to come to our aid. The rate at which these guys cause trouble is alarming.”

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The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Dolapo Badmos who confirmed the incident, said the police has begun investigations into the matter with a view to unraveling the circumstances surrounding the death of Small Messi.