Hoodlums suspected to be Political thugs kill two in Lagos

There was pandemonium on Oke Popo Street, Lagos Island last week Thursday and Friday when hoodlums, suspected to be political thugs, invaded the area, and killed two men in separate attacks.

PUNCH Metro learnt that while the first victim, identified simply as Rilwan, was hacked to death inside his commercial tricycle on Thursday evening, Qudus- the second victim- was shot dead inside a hotel on Friday where he was reportedly celebrating his birthday...

Our correspondent gathered that the two attacks were reported at the Adeniji Adele Police Division, but residents claimed they believed the police had not made any arrest.One of the residents, Adelola Lateef, told PUNCH Metro that the hoodlums came in from Patey and Oshodi streets to create the mayhem.He said, “It was after the day’s work on Thursday and all of us were relaxing in our verandahs. Rilwan was also in his parked tricycle. Suddenly, the thugs, whom we suspected were working for a political party, invaded the street. They were about 10 in number. They went near the tricycle and attacked Rilwan- hacking him to death.“While we were still mourning him, the assailants struck again on Friday and killed Qudus at a hotel where he was celebrating his birthday. He was shot at close range by the thugs.”It was gathered that Qudus was rushed to a private hospital after the attack for emergency treatment, but he later died.

Our correspondent learnt that when the young men in Oke Popo learnt of the deaths, they started vandalising vehicles on other streets to protest against the incident.Another resident, who identified himself simply as Ajetunmobi, urged the police to intensify security in the area. He added that thugs sponsored by political parties were attacking residents at random.He said, “Their intention is to use thugs to coerce residents to join them. We have reported to the police, but we have yet to see the assailants being arrested.“We are not safe at Oke Popo area. I urge the state Commissioner of Police and the state government to come to our aid. Our boys are only patient because we do not want to take laws into our hands.”PUNCH Metro learnt that the corpses of the two victims had been deposited at a morgue in the area.The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, said he would get back to our correspondent on the incident. But he had yet to do so as of press time.