There was pandemonium at Ebute-Metta area of Lagos State on Thursday as suspected hoodlums clashed.
It was gathered that trouble started about midnight following sporadic gunshots by unidentified gangs who were bent on fighting for supremacy in the neighbourhood.
Innocent residents were however caught in the cross fire as no fewer than six persons were said to be injured with about thirty vehicles said to be vandalised in the wake of the violence.
Residents stated that they have been living in fear as they have seen the clash coming since the gangs have threatened to attack each other.
Eyewitnesses stated that the areas badly affected by the rampaging youth included Brickfield Street, Apapa Road, Daudu Lane and Olokodana.
They said people were robbed and properties looted.
The violence would have snowballed into a total breakdown of law and order but for the intervention of policemen drafted from various divisions to quell the violence.
The residents however called on the Commissioner of Police in the state to redeploy the policemen from the Iponri Division as they alleged that the policemen have been nonchallant about crime in the area.
A community leader, who requested anonymity stated: “We know that Ebutte-Metta is like a breeding ground for thugs and hoodlums but the policemen at Iponri Police Station are milking cows.
“They have compromised with asking for bribe when you go to report any case.
“Some of these hoodlums will tell you that the police cannot arrest them.
“So despite our efforts to take them to the station, they have a way of being released.
“We therefore call on the CP to redeploy all the policemen in this area and this case be transferred to the police headquarters for thorough investigation because the policemen here wine, dine and smoke hemp with these hoodlums.”
The Lagos State police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, said normalcy has returned to the area as police patrol vehicles are on ground to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
Braide said: “Six of the hoodlums have been arrested and will soon be transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad at the state command for thorough investigation.”