NEWS UPDATE - Three killed, many injured as cultist clash in Lagos State.

     No fewer than three persons have been confirmed dead, while several others were injured in two separate clashes between rival cults in Lagos State.

The two incidents occurred on Olorunfunmi Street, Oworonshoki; and Muri Ojora Street, Amukoko, respectively.




PUNCH Metro learnt that one Bayo Morebise, aged 37, was killed in the Oworonshoki clash, while 28-year-old Lekan Makinde and one other, identified as Area, were hacked to death in Amukoko. 

In the Amukoko clash, which happened around 4pm on Sunday, it was gathered that one Emmanuel, said to be a member of a rival cult to Makinde’s gang, went into a coma and was taken to a hospital in the community. 

 

A resident of Amukoko, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity for fear of attack, said many people were injured while scampering to safety.

He said, “It all started with a scuffle between two boys on the street, who belonged to rival cults. About 30 minutes after they were separated, members of the two factions – Eiye Confraternity and Aiye Confratenity – mobilised and started chasing one another with cutlasses. People fell and got injured while trying to run to safety.

“The chaos stopped after policemen from the Amukoko division arrived at the scene. Three persons were hacked. Two of them, Lekan (Makinde) and one boy called Area, died from the injuries they sustained. One other boy (Emmanuel) was rushed to a hospital for treatment. Around 10pm, they regrouped and clashed again.”

Another resident, who gave his name only as Tomi, told PUNCH Metro that the peace of the community had been under threat as a result of incessant clashes, calling on security agencies to go after the hoodlums.

“This community is volatile and hoodlums foment trouble at will. They are jobless and not ready to work. When responsible persons are engaged in the day, you will find them hanging around, smoking. It is when we are relaxing outside in the evening that they will start their trouble. The two deaths recorded on Saturday were just one of many atrocities they had perpetrated.

“Once these miscreants are arrested, they should be made to face the law to serve as a deterrent to others.

“Something has to be done to curb the attacks. Besides, these people live around children, who can easily be influenced negatively,” Tomi said.

In the Oworonshoki incident, which occurred on Saturday, it was learnt that operatives attached to the anti-crime patrol team of the Oworonshoki Police Station were mobilised to the scene after receiving a distress call.

A police source disclosed to our correspondent that the corpse of one Bayo Morebise was recovered from the scene and deposited in a mortuary for autopsy.

The source said, “The distress call was received around 10pm that some suspected cult members were fighting on Olorunfunmi Street. A police team led by the divisional police station, raced to the scene. On getting there, one man, identified as Bayo Morebise, was found lying dead on the floor.”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed Morebise’s killing, saying the case was under investigation.

“The Amukoko case was also a cult clash. One person died while a suspect, 32-year-old Ndubuisi Afam, was arrested and the case transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba, for further investigation,” she added. 

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