[EXCLUSIVE] Bullet rain: LASUED staff, student, pregnant woman killed in Otto, Ijanikin communal clash [Graphic Photos/Video]

What began as a minor clash between youths in Otto and Ijanikin communities along the Badagry axis of Lagos state early Saturday (today) morning ended in tragedy — not just for those involved in the fight, but for innocent people caught in the crossfire.

According to residents and eyewitnesses, this is not the first time that both communities are tangled up in dangerous clashes that usually end with casualties from both communities.

While the actual cause of conflict cannot be ascertained as at press time, however, NewsClick Nigeria can authoritatively report that calm has returned to the area.

On that ill-fated day, tension flared between young people from both communities. Bottles flew through the air as anger escalated. No one could clearly say what sparked the violence. But as the confrontation intensified, security operatives were deployed to restore order.

Stray bullets kill LASUED staff, student, pregnant woman 

A senior staff of the Lagos State University of Education, LASUED (formerly Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education) who spoke on condition of anonymity to NewsClick Nigeria confirmed that the institution has lost two people (a staff and student) to the violence.

“The chaos started as early as 5am. We actually thought it was just a mere confrontation amongst some youths and expected it was going to end before day break. However, it became more violent and by day break it has escalated to full scale bloody gang fight.”

According to him, a staff of the institution who had stepped out to quickly get something, unaware of the dangerous faceoff was hit by stray bullets allegedly fired into the air by men of the Nigeria Police Force to disperse the rival groups.

“A young staff of our institution identified as Akinyemi Abdul-Jelil Anuoluwapo, who was unaware of the extent of the chaos and had stepped out to go get something.

“On his way back, as the chaos unfolded nearby, a stray bullet allegedly fired by police officers attempting to disperse the crowd struck him in the arm.

Bleeding heavily, he was rushed to a nearby traditional medical clinic where efforts were made to remove the bullet. But he had already lost too much blood. He died before he could be transferred to a hospital for proper treatment.”

He explained that a student and pregnant woman were also unfortunately lost to the chaos.

“We also lost a student to the stray bullets flying around. A pregnant woman who was  trying to cross the road was also hit by the stray bullet. She died from her injuries, taking with her the unborn life she carried.”

NewsClick Nigeria gathered that several others sustained varying degree of injuries during the clash and are now battling for their lives in hospital.

Residents of Otto and Ijanikin now live with a painful question: How did a fight between youths escalate into a tragedy that claimed innocent lives?

Community members say the original cause of the dispute remains unclear. What is clear, however, is the cost — young dreams cut short, families thrown into mourning, and a community shaken.