Thugs Invade Ebute Meta Again, Kill Student

Thugs Invade Ebute Meta Again, Kill Student

A 26-year-old student of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Oyo State, Dayo Olaniyi, was killed in Ebute Meta, Lagos on Thursday by thugs who invaded  Moshood Abiola Way (Apapa Road) and neighbouring streets.

The killing came less than 24 hours after one Hakeem Omisore was killed in Oto, near the same area.

Residents said the attack on Thursday was a reprisal by about 40 thugs.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Olaniyi was with his friends on Iya Agan Street around 8am when the thugs, clad in black T-shirt and black jeans, invaded the area and started shooting indiscriminately.

A witness, who craved anonymity, said the thugs also vandalised some vehicles in the area before fleeing.

He said, “Olaniyi was a student of The Polytechnic, Ibadan. He just came home briefly to see his aunt. He had just finished eating and we were all talking when the thugs started shooting.

“We all scampered to safety as the shooting continued. Some minutes later, after the hoodlums left, I saw Olaniyi’s corpse. He was shot in the face.”

Our correspondent learnt that parts of Ebute Meta; particularly Moshood Abiola Way and Oto, have become a hotbed for criminals who engage in perennial supremacy battles.

About three weeks ago, four persons were injured and 28 vehicles vandalised in the same area.

An Islamic cleric on Daudu Lane, who refused to give his name, said violence continued to recur because of the lackadaisical attitude of law enforcement agents.

He said, “The feud can be traced back to 2009. Initially, the bone of contention was the collection of money from commercial bus operators and shop owners.

“However, it has escalated from petty crimes to murder and armed robbery. One wonders where they get these sophisticated weapons from.

“The recent attack was carried out by combination of youths from Jones Street and Oto on one hand and youths from other streets on Moshood Abiola Way. Olaniyi was even in my house a few minutes before the incident.”

Our correspondent observed that a commercial bus with number plate AK 442 EKY was vandalised by the hoodlums on Daudu Lane.

Scores of residents gathered around Olaniyi’s corpse and rained curses on his killers.

A few minutes later, policemen in plain clothes, attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, besieged the area, shot into the air indiscriminately and arrested some youths.

Also policemen from Iponri Division were seen in patrol vehicles combing the area.

As at the time our correspondent left the vicinity, the policemen were seen searching residents and bystanders.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Ngozi Braide, said she was unaware of the incident but promised to find out.

 

Source: Legit.ng

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