Police Arrest Two as OPC, Hoodlums Clash in Lagos

Chiemelie Ezeobi
The Lagos State Police Command wednesday arrested two suspects at the Ajegunle area of the state, following a clash between some hoodlums and members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC).

The clash which lasted for hours on Tuesday night, was said to have claimed one Lanre Rasheed and another yet-to-be identified person and also left several others with injuries.

Rasheed, who had gone on an errand, had walked into the clash and a stray bullet allegedly shot by the OPC killed him on the spot.

According to eyewitnesses, the clash had begun following the refusal of the OPC to share the sum of money released by a land developer.

The hoodlums popularly known in local parlance as ‘omo nile’ had approached the said developer for their share but he directed then back to the OPC.
Upon their refusal to share the largesse with the other group, a fight broke out that led to wanton destruction of properties in the area.

Asides torching some makeshift buildings and shops, both factions were said to have unleased mayhem with dangerous weapons including locally made guns, matches and axes.

As at yestersday, tentative peace was restored to the area by the deployment of policemen from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS).

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police, said two suspects were arrested.

She said the fight was between the area boys and the vigilante group members at Arumo Street in Ajegunle over money, adding that leader of the vigilante group allegedly collected money and refused to share it.
Badmos said it was as a result of that the hoodlums attacked the vigilantes and set their office and a nearby kiosk on fire.

She said: “In the process, the vigilantes shot and killed one person. The police went to the scene and restored calm.

“Two persons were arrested, while two live and four expended cartridges were recovered. The case is under investigation.”