Seven persons were killed while many others were injured after some hoodlums clashed at the Badia area of Lagos State. The bodies of those who had been identified are Muyideen Saka, Wasiu Yusuf, Ejima and Noah.
The clash was said to be between two factions of miscreants – Suara and Railway boys. During the clash, property and other valuables valued at millions of naira were damaged. The fight was said to have started since Sunday last week. It was learnt that whenever the Suara boys were returning from robbery operations, they always pass through railway line.
In the process, railway boys will block the Suara boys and snatch their loot from them. A witness, Kunle Idowu, said: “On Sunday last week, Suara boys, who were fully armed, invaded Railway line section and started shooting sporadically, injuring people in the process.
The railway line hoodlums were repelled by the Suara boys, who chased them towards the white sand area of the community, killing two among them.” Following the killing of the two, Suara boys regrouped and returned the following day to railway line.
They launched a reprisal and killed two persons, later identified as Ejima and Noah. Determined to avenge their colleagues, the Railway boys pursued the Suara boys, and chased them to Baale and Church streets, where both factions, armed to the teeth, confronted each other.
Both factions were armed with locally- made pistols, rifles and different machetes. One of the flying bullets from the gangs’ smoking guns hit a marketing official of an insurance firm, Mr. Saka, residing at Suara Street. Also killed during the clash was Yusuf, residing at No 42, Baale Street, who died at a private hospital. Another victim, Wasiu Jimoh, who resides at N 36 Church Street, was said to have escaped unhurt when the Railway boys stormed his house.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Chike Oti, said the clash was between cult groups. He said: “Immediately the command got information about the clash, policemen from the Anti-Cultism Squad were deployed to the scene.
Three bodies were evacuated, while three persons were apprehended in connection with the murder. The suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti, Yaba, for further investigation. “The total number of suspects arrested in connection with the clash is 35.”
