Seven persons were reportedly injured and several vehicles vandalised when rival cult groups engaged each other in a free for all at Aguda in Coker-Aguda Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.
It was learnt that the violence broke out after an altercation between rival cult groups in an hotel on Saturday, which led to one person allegedly being stabbed on the neck.
According to a resident, Kunle Banjo, the clash started from a drinking joint at Oseni Street around 10pm on Sunday before it turned bloody, causing residents to scamper for safety.
Banjo, a resident of Oseni Street, said the victim after he was stabbed was left in the pool of his blood without being rescued, a development that provoked his colleagues to stage a reprisal.
It was also gathered that one of the rival cults, Salary Boys, looted residents’ shops and other valuables unhindered.
John Adeyinka, member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Coker-Aguda Branch, said those who fought were not their members, but mostly from outside of the community.
Adeyinka said majority of the hoodlums coming to fight in Aguda are from outside the community.
He said the move to prevent outsiders from gaining access into Aguda escalated the clash.
He said: “We are ready to put a stop the incessant clash because people always attribute the clash to National Union of Road Transport Workers and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, but we are in good working relationship.”
Ajiboye Tolulope, also a member of NURTW, said they are tired of the incessant clashes between rival cults, which he noted is tarnishing their image.
Tolulope said he was at home when he received a phone call from a friend that he should stay wherever he is because the cultists were at it again.
He said: “After awhile, when the policemen had arrive the scene, when I was going home, I saw somebody lying near canal at Itire, but I don’t know if the person is still alive or dead, but I couldn’t wait out of fear.
“I am appealing to both parties to allow peace to reign because without peace there wouldn’t be development in our area.
“We the union members are ready to cooperate with the police and other security agencies to get rid of the cultists who called themselves Salary Boys.
“On Monday after the clash on Sunday, no bus was able to park in the garage to pick passengers.
“We are also hungry because if we don’t work we won’t be able to take care of our family members.”
The Chairperson of Coker-Aguda LCDA, Adetutu Omobolanle, said there is no problem in Aguda and its environs.
Omobolanle said: “Most of the hoodlums are from Mushin and Ijeshtedo because that place is the house of hoodlums, but some of the cultists who are living in our midst would be arrested and handed them over to the police.
“Also any Baale whose domain clashes occur would be punished because most of the cultists don’t have any means of livelihood.
“They are only sustained on what they loot during clashes with their rivals and we are not going to tolerate that anymore.
“We also cannot exonerate the NURTW totally because they cannot say they don’t know those hoodlums.
“Police should go after them and also prosecute Baales whose domain had been turned to battle field.”
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, who was visibly angry, told the Chairpersons, Market leaders, Unions and Baales to warn their wards causing trouble in their area.
Odumosu said: “I summon each and everyone of you to the Command to sound a note of warning to you and also take the massage back home to those who are not here to know that I wouldn’t tolerate unnecessary killings and destruction of people’s properties.
“We are here because of what is happening in Ikate, Aguda, Ijesha and Coker because those who are coming to attack people are not coming from Abeokuta or Kano.
“They are in your midst.
“I cannot fold my arms and allow such lawlessness to continue.
“I want the NURTW and RTEAN to assist the police to make the area calm.
“I believe all those who are fighting are union members.
“You all should go back and warn them.
“I am begging you now.
“When I arrest them you people should not come back and start begging me.
“I wouldn’t tolerate where somebody’s car parked on the street is vandalised, while landlords whose houses harbour criminals would be arrested.
“You don’t allow my men to sleep because they also have family like you they care for.
“A any motor park where they fight will also be shut down and the persons in charge of the place would be arrested.”
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