Youth dies during gunshot rampage in Lagos

ayodele johnson

April 28, 2016 1:32 PM

Tragedy struck when two warring factions clashed over how to share an unconfirmed amount given to one of the groups.

The hoodlums fired shots that killed Agbede and injued his friend, Gbenga.

A young man identified as Rasheed Olanrewaju, has been shot dead when two warring factions clashed over sharing of money in Ajegunle, Lagos.

According to Punch, a man conducting a building project in the area paid an undisclosed amount of money to one of the groups.

This led to a disagreement, as they could not agree on the fraction for distribution among themselves.

One of the groups, said to be for vigilance engaged the other in a gun battle that led to the death of Olanrewaju.

The intervention of the police had no effect on the crisis, as the groups were reported to have ignored their presence. The police however arrested two suspects.

A woman, Comfort Udoh, who is a resident in the area said she had to lie down face down in her one room apartment along with her children to avoid getting hit.

READ: OPC member attacked by suspected cultists for sleeping with another woman

She said, “We learnt that the leader of the vigilance group, Ezekiel, was greedy. His attitude caused the fight. The other group wanted him to share the money equally, but he refused.

“The money is owo omo onile (land speculator’s levy) which landlords pay before putting up any structure on their sites."

"People later said Ezekiel’s group shot dead one person belonging to the other faction. Some other people said the person killed was an innocent resident.”

A police source explained that they faced quite a challenge when they attempted to pacify the situation.

“When the policemen realised that the hoodlums could not be pacified, they started shooting into the air to disperse them."

"The Rapid Response Squad and the Area B Command were called for reinforcements in the area.”

SP Dolapo Badmos, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incidence along with the death of a youth.

She said that investigations are ongoing concerning the clash.

ayodele johnson