Scores of persons have been injured in the Somolu area of Lagos State following a shooting spree by suspected cultists.The Cultists according to residents are known residents of the Community whom the Police have always protected.
More than 150 cars were reportedly vandalized as the cultists also looted shops and attacked residents at will.
Residents said the shooting started about 7:30pm on Sunday when the cult group, identified as the EFCC/Eiye Confraternity, held a candle light procession in honor of one of their deceased members, simply identified as Old School.
The residents said the deceased was killed by a rival gang at a rally organized by the Chairman of Shomolu Local Government Area, Gbolahan Bago-Stowe, on March 28, 2013.It was the Rally that triggered off the ugly incident.
Though Old School,of the Igbo stock has since been buried last week in his home town, his gang members decided to go on rampage during the procession on Ajose Street, led by one Okanlawon.
The residents identified other members of the gang as including Olumide Ogbor and Ibrahim Atiku a chieftain of the Odua Peoples Congress,Kunle Eyin bouncing and others A resident told The Eagle Online: “They later assembled at Fadipe Street near the carnal where they stormed Anifowoshe, Olorunkemi, Ajiun, Popoola, Ore Ofero, Akanni, Abiodun, Akoka, Ojo Ibukun, Olu and Bajulaiye Streets, robbing people, looting shops, vandalising vehicles’ windscreens.
“They vandalised close to150 vehicles and caused panic in the community.
“They fled before the police arrived the area.”
A community leader, who simply identified himself as Baba Seggy, said the police and the local government chairman were informed of the mayhem before the boys took the law into their hands.
He said: “It is their culture to loot and destroy things anyhow during their so-called candle light procession.
“We saw them gathering in the afternoon near the carnal area and we informed the DPO (Divisional Police Officer) of the Pedro Police Station.
“We also drew the attention of the Shomolu Local Government chairman, whom we learnt gave the cultists money to do the candle light procession but he failed to stop the mayhem.
“When we called the DPO a second time, he said he had spoken with the chairman to stop the impeding violence.
“So you can see our plight.
“Those that are supposed to protect us are not taking their responsibilities seriously and we are fed up with these boy.”
It was gathered that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Umar Manko, drafted a team of heavily armed policemen to the affected streets to forestall a reprisal and further breakdown of law and order.
The policemen in their patrol vans were seen patrolling the community.
Meanwhile not less than 40 suspects were arrested on Tuesday and taking to the AreaH Command ,Ogudu.but the people in the Community insisted those arrested are the innocent boys that the culprits are still walking about freely
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