Three persons were shot dead yesterday, during a
shootout between hoodlums and some officers attached to the
Federal Operations Zone A, Ikeja, of the Nigerian Customs
Service, NCS, at White Sand community in Ijora Badia area of
Lagos State.
Three others, among who was a Customs officer, also
sustained gunshot injuries.
Trouble started, Monday, following a clash between Hausa and
Yoruba residents over accusation by the latter that the former
had been terrorising the area.
A resident, Tajudeen Shamsudeen, explained that a boy,
identified as Ojo, said to be on his way home, was allegedly
stabbed to death by some Hausa boys.
Shamsudeen said: “For long, these Hausa boys have been
attacking people here. They waylay people, dispose them of
cash and belongings. Even rulers of both ethnic groups are
aware of the issue.”
The attack on Ojo, according to him, sparked a riot during
which dangerous weapons were freely used by both parties.
But for the timely arrival of policemen from Ijora Badia, the
situation would have assumed a violent dimension. 10 persons
were said to have been arrested in connection with the unrest.
Demolition
Vanguard gathered that demolition of shanties in the troubled
community started yesterday morning.
While unconfirmed reports had it that it was on the order of
the state government, the Hausa alleged that the demolition
was carried out in their places of abode only.
While the demolition was ongoing, some Custom officers, who
residents alleged were invited by the Seriki Hausa, stormed
the community in three patrol vehicles at about 2.30p.m. They
were alleged to have fired sporadically to scare off some
hoodlums, who were roaming the area.
The hoodlums were said to have resisted the Customs men,
who allegedly attempted to stop the demolition, an action that
led to a shootout, during which three persons were felled by
bullets.
One of the bullets from the hoodlums hit a Customs officer.
The Customs men then fled the scene, heading towards
Apapa.
As at 5p.m., Vanguard gathered that the injured officer was
being treated at the Lagoon Hospital, Apapa, with two police
patrol vans stationed within the hospital premises.
One of those hit by a stray bullet was Azeez Tajudeen.
Eyewitnesses said he was first taken to the police station for
a police report, before being rushed to an undisclosed
hospital.
Police story
Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations
Officer, Dolapo Badmus, a Superintendent of Police, however,
said only one person died, while two others are recuperating in
the hospital.
She said:”The community and the police were on a joint
operation of raiding black spots within the community and
arresting suspected criminals yesterday.
“In the process, some officers of the Nigerian Customs Service
officers, who were with officials of the National Emergency
Management Agency, NEMA, had an encounter with some of
the hoodlums.
“They fired some shots and three people were hit. As a result,
one death was recorded, while two others are receiving
treatment in the hospital. Policemen are not involved.”