Violence Breaks Out In Lagos; 100 Vehicles Vandalised, Many Injured

                                 

About 100 vehicles were vandalised and many people injured when urchins, otherwise known as “Area boys” on reprisal, invaded four streets in Akoka and Pedro in Somolu Local Government Area of Lagos State on Sunday/Monday.

The hoodlums were said to have arrived the area through the Somolu Market pretending to be holding a candlelight procession for a man, identified simply as Old Skool.

The man was allegedly stabbed repeatedly by some youths during a rally organised by the Somolu LG Chairman, Mr. Gbolahan Bago-Stowe to mark the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Solanke Street. Old Skool died on Easter Sunday, thus creating tension in the Akoka part of the LG.

The Punch learnt that more than 70 hoodlums stormed the streets between 10pm on Sunday and 1am on Monday, destroying vehicles parked on the streets and inflicting injuries on many residents.

A resident, Mr. Ernest Molokwu, said he was beaten up by the hoodlums while his commercial bus was vandalised. He said, “I was at the balcony of my house when I saw the hoodlums. Knowing what they can do, I tried to drive my bus away from my street, but they caught up with me and beat me up. They also broke the windscreen of my bus. As it is now, I cannot work today (Monday).”

Another resident, Adekunle Ogunkoya, said ”At about 10pm on Sunday, some friends of Old Skool held a candlelight procession in his honour. But it was a decoy because after sometime, they dropped their candles and started vandalising the vehicles parked on the streets. They also beat up some of us.”

A vulcaniser on Ojo Square, who tried to protect his machine was stabbed but was later rushed to hospital.

A woman, who identified herself only as Bisi, said the hoodlums collected her two phones. Bisi said the community centre in the area had become a hideout for criminals.

Hear her: “We know them (suspects) but anytime we report them to the police, they are only arrested for a while and later released. That community centre on Ojo Street is a den of robbers.”

As usual, the Police said they are investigating the incident.