One dies, scores injured as hoodlums clash in Mushin

• Area boys foil attempt to steal gold-made church covenant

A fight among two rival hoodlums in Mushin, yesterday led to the death of one ‘Askari’, while several others sustained injuries.

Eyewitness accounts said the crisis had lingered for over five years and was majorly between hoodlums in the ghetto areas of Mushin.

“Those who come from Mushin Market are known as Kesari boys, while those in Idi-Araba are a syndicate of touts”, said a source.

Another source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said more than 20 injured hoodlums were treated by quack nurses in the community.

A member (name withheld) of the Christ Gospel Church, Cherubim and Seraphim, located at Oriyomi Street, Mushin, said the fight coincided with the church’s Ark Covenant Anniversary. Adding that the area where the church is located is within hoodlums’ fighting field.

She said: “This event is annual and whenever we have this event, these hoodlums always troop in, mostly at night when we are done celebrating.”

It was learnt that they wanted to pick our all-gold Covenant popularly known as Èri in Yoruba.

“Thanks to the area boys and some of our gallant members who defended the Lord’s terrain, protecting the infiltration of the hoodlums,” the source added.

But, the Head of the church, Vice Baba Aladura JIA Oduyemi  denied any attempt to steal the Covenant, adding that no one can steal the Lord’s possession.

“We were proactive and worried simply because of our church. We need to defend and protect our members and the visitors who travelled from far distances to grace the holy event.” The church’s head, however, disclosed that he personally invited the police when the crisis started.

In an interview, the Chairman, Landlords’ Association of Oriyomi Street, Akanbi Waheed, described the incident as unfortunate, pointing fingers at the authority’s ineptitude to flush the boys out of the street.

Akanbi noted that the fight dates back to many years, taking different turns, “from looting of shops, waylaying residents and commuters and destroying property worth millions.”

It was gathered that two gates, including cars parked within the streets have been vandalised.

“Not fewer than 20-35 cars have been destroyed in Bamgboye and Alafia Streets after vandalising their gates”, another source among the crowd disclosed.

A business owner on Olorunishola Street, Off Oriyomi, while condemning the attack, stressed that the hoodlums have nicknamed the entire community “Shoprite” as they loot shops, rob commuters and steal car parts when raiding.

Meanwhile,  Lagos State Police Spokesman, Adekunle Ajisebutu, in a telephone conversation told our correspondence normalcy had been restored in the area after some arrests were made. He said the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu received the report and will brief the media on further development.