How armed OPC members, political thugs terrorized residents

Chaos erupted in the Oshodi area of Lagos State on Thursday, March 26, after armed men invaded the area.

Residents and witnesses say that the men, numbering close to 50, were members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC).

The gang members wore masks and carried sophisticated weapons with which they shot sporadically into the air, Punch reports.

A vendor, identified as Samuel Ojukwu, told Punch that the attackers were supporters of President Goodluck Jonathan.

“This morning, as I was arranging newspapers on the newsstand, I saw some people running. I didn’t know what was pursuing them, so I sat at the stand,” Ojukwu said.

“Then, these heavily armed men showed up. I started shaking with fright where I sat as they approached my newsstand. The man who led them had two pistols in his side pockets, and held another one in his hand. One of them came to me and said, ‘Baba, don’t be afraid. When you vote on Saturday, vote for Jonathan.’ I was so afraid,” he added.

“Some of the hoodlums wore masks and I believe they are known faces. That was why they covered their faces,” another witness, Ojuolape Obafemi, told Punch.

“They entered into streets and nobody could come out to challenge them. I believe they were OPC members because they wore all kinds of ammunition and amulet,” she added.

Obafemi said further that after the group armed with guns left the area, another group armed with sticks, bottles and cutlasses took over and began to harass passersby.

A bus conductor in the area stated that the riot was connected with the rivalry between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The violence was later quelled upon the arrival of the police and other security agents.

OPC members had earlier unleashed mayhem on Ikorodu Road in Lagos when they took to the streets to campaign for Jonathan and demand the resignation of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Attahiru Jega.