Fresh Lagos cult clash claims two lives, leaves many others injured -

Two rival gangs in the Alakara and Fadeyi areas of Lagos engaged in a bloody clash on Monday, leading to the death of two persons, with scores injured.

Findings revealed that one dead victims was a dispatch rider for a company, and the other, identified as Tobi Kuti, was said to have been beheaded after he was felled by the gangsters’ bullet.

Also, a motorcyclist operating in Fadeyi, identified simply as Alaba, was hit by a bullet in his lap and was rushed to the Military Hospital, Yaba, for treatment.

Speaking to PunchNG, an eyewitness, named Sandra, said she was on the upper floor of her place of residence when a fight broke out between the two groups of gangsters.

She explained that, after the initial exchange of gunfire by both sides, which lasted for some minutes, there was a break and it was during this period that the dispatch rider passed through the area.

The dispatch rider was said to have been hit by a stray bullet when the gangsters resumed shooting.

She stated, “I don’t know the cause of the fight, but the fighters were not cultists, but area boys. The fight was between the Mushin and Fadeyi boys. A dispatch rider rode into the scene when the two sides resumed hostility. I watched as he was fell by a bullet from the gangsters’ guns.

“The police later came and removed his corpse from the scene. They also took his identity card. The fight between the Fadeyi and Mushin boys is unending. We witness at least one every two or three months. It has lasted for more than 20 years. Apart from guns, they also used sticks, stones, bottles, iron, knives, cutlasses and other weapons.”

Also lamenting the incident, a chicken seller, Balogun Azeez, said the gangsters stole eight birds from his cage and vandalised his wife’s kiosk as well as those of other traders.

He added that the gangsters stole five new generators from a dealer’s outlet and looted many shops.

A woman, who preferred anonymity, told our correspondent that the hoodlums ran away with her pot of rice without the stew.

She said the hoodlums abandoned their loot and fled when the police got to the scene.

Confirming the incident, state Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, said those killed were not gangsters but people who were going about their normal business.

He stated that 33 persons from the two rival gangs had been arrested for their roles during the clash.