Schoolboy, 4 others killed as hoodlums, police clash in Lagos
Not less than five persons, were yesterday, February 27, said to have been killed in a cult-related violence.
The fracas, which happened at the Mushin area of Lagos State, was said to have started on Monday, February 26.
Two traders were killed inside Ladipo International Market on Monday evening by suspected cultists.
A policeman, a hoodlum and a pupil were also reported dead during a clash at Idi-Oro. It was learnt that the policeman was stabbed to death.
Among the deceased were one Akeem Mumuni and a pupil simply identified as Samuel.
Tuesday’s incident, which occurred around 3pm, was said to have left many persons injured.
It was gathered that yesterday’s battle was a fallout of Monday’s cult clash because policemen from Area D Division, Mushin and the Anti-Cultism unit were said to have embarked on a raid of cultists’ hideout.
The raid, however, went awry as hoodlums, said to have sighted the cops, engaged them in a battle. The fight reportedly extended to Olateju.
A passer-by, who gave his name as Williams said the hoodlums shot sporadically and pelted the policemen with stones, bottles.
He said: “It was in the afternoon and people were going about their lawful duties when we suddenly started hearing sporadic gunshots. The gunshots lasted about 30 minutes. Everyone started running in different directions. Some people sustained injuries in the process. I heard two persons died but I do not how true that is.”
A trader, Chigozie said: “The cultists killed two people when they entered the market. Some said they wanted to rob them, others said the deceased belonged to a rival cult group. There are many cultists in Ladipo market. They most times, threaten and extort traders. The government needs to take serious action against them.”
