Woman Matter Led To Hoodlums Clash In Lagos, 2 Killed

Pandemonium ensued on Tuesday at the Iyana Ipaja end of Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway as some hoodlums engaged in a free-for-all during which two residents were reportedly killed.

Vehicles parked by the roadside were said to have been damaged, while some shops were looted by the rampaging hoodlums, who also dispossessed passersby of their personal effects.

An operative of the Rapid Response Squad sustained injuries. All for what?

There are two versions of what actually caused the fight.

It was learnt that a lady, dating two men from the Abule Oki and Alagba communities, caused a rivalry between her lovers, which eventually led to a fight between their followers.

Another version said the fight was between 2 rival factions of tricycle riders union in Iyana Ipaja, some of which hired mercenaries from the Oshodi and Agege areas.

It took the intervention of a combined team of RRS and policemen from the surrounding divisions to bring the situation under control around 2am on Wednesday.

The Baale of Alagba, Olamileko Olatunji, told Punch that the fracas started on Monday when the two lovers from Alagba and Abule Oki engaged each other in a fight over the said lady.

He said, “There is a woman who is dating two men in Alagba and Abule Oki. The two men fought on Monday. The case was, however, settled on Monday. The traditional ruler of Abule Oki and I resolved the matter.

“However, on Tuesday, another crisis erupted as hoodlums from Oshodi, Agege, and other places stormed Iyana Ipaja. Policemen from the Alabo division came to resolve the matter.”

A businessman, Agbasali Tochukwu, said his shop was vandalised, adding that he escaped being injured by a whisker.

“A lot of damages were done. They killed two people and injured a lot of others,” he added.

A trader, Faith Obaseki, said her office fan and other items were stolen from her shop.

A dealer in electronic products, Victor Ego, said three televisions were damaged in his shop.

The state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, said preliminary investigation showed the fight was caused by a lady, saying only one person died.