Gunmen kill suspected gang leader in Lagos

Some unidentified gunmen have killed a suspected gang leader, Waheed Yusuf, in his house in the Ebute Meta area of Lagos.Punch Metro learnt that the gunmen shot Yusuf at about 8.30pm in his house on Fagbayimu Street, Olokodana, Old Apapa Road.He was killed on December 31, 2014.Our correspondent gathered that 42-year-old Yusuf, whose nickname was Skippo, was known for allegedly coordinating an area gang known as Apapa Road boys.It was learnt from residents that the matter was reported at the Iponri Police Division.

When our correspondent visited Yusuf’s residence on Wednesday, the area was tense and none of the neighbours was willing to comment on the incident.

But a resident, who pleaded anonymity, said Yusuf’s relatives fled after the attack, thinking that the gunmen might return for another attack.

He said, “Yusuf was a well known figure in the area. Since 2010, he had been leading the Apapa Road boys.

“The gang is known for terrorising residents of neighbouring areas. Skippo was well known by politicians from our local government area and beyond.

“They (politicians) give the gang guns, ammunition and money to disturb our peace. A lot of lives and property have been destroyed. I think the gunmen came on a reprisal because they targeted a time when Yusuf would be in a celebration mood, and they struck him. The family had left since that time. They fear the gunmen might come back.”

Another resident, who gave his name as Lateef Akanni, added that as elections approached, the area was one of the volatile places where the police should beef up security.

He said, “During the party primaries in the area, the kind of riots and killings that the area boys unleashed was too much. If the primaries was that violent, I wonder how the main election would be. We urge the police to strengthen security in this area.

“The police must warn politicians to stop buying guns and ammunition for these thugs. Most times, it is the innocent who gets killed and injured.”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, however, said the matter was not reported to the police station.

He said, “The police at Iponri do not have a record of that incident. It was not reported.”