One Killed, Many Injured During Bloody Cult War On Lagos Island

MICHAEL AKINOLA

Shops were shut and almost all the markets on Lagos Island closed on Friday as two rival cult groups clashed leaving one Sulaimon, popularly known as ‘ESCAPER,’ brutally murdered during a renewed bloody clash between youths from Onola and Agarawu.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the deceased sustained injuries on the neck from machete cuts and reportedly bled to death because his son, Sikiru, was among the Agarawu boys that attacked the Onola youths three days ago.

Another man, identified as Goriola, said to have rescued some Mallams, was shot with a dane gun by the hoodlums, while coming out from morning prayer in a mosque and was rushed to an undisclosed hospital, where doctors are battling to save his life.

The victim, Goriola’s offence was that he was said to be married to the mother of one of the rival gang members and for rescuing the shot Mallams.
Aside that, several vehicles parked along the Streets at Agarawu and adjacent areas were vandalized, while innocent people and traders were robbed of their personal belongings later in the day.

According to eye witnesses, the deceased was brushing his teeth around 4am in front of his house (Agboole Oya) at Agarawu Street, when the Onola youths invaded the area to revenge the attack meted on their members few days ago by the opponents.
A source narrated that, “Escaper”, while brushing his teeth with chewing stick saw the Onola boys coming and alerted the other boys bathing at a public water tap. He also dogged nearby for the Onola youths to pass but was unfortunate when one of the invaders saw and identified him as the father of one of the opponents called Sikiru.

He was then macheted on the neck, which led to his death on the spot. The invaders also attacked other people they saw around the area before they escaped”, source revealed.

He added that Goriola, after rescuing the shot Mallams, went to Tinubu area to see a friend before he was attacked.

It was also gathered that the Agarawu boys had earlier attacked some Onola boys days ago and inflicted several injuries on them.
Another source revealed that youths from the two nearby areas had been at loggerhead for sometimes over supremacy in political thuggery and NURTW affairs.

“Each time the Elders of both sides tried to settle the crisis between the two groups, they shared tangible money to them for settlement but the waring youths still continued with the bloody fight and used the avenue to rob innocent people, particularly the traders along the areas”, the source revealed.

It was also gathered that when the Agarawu youths, armed with cutlasses and dane guns, were returning from the burial ground on Friday afternoon where the deceased was buried, they attacked passersby and traders at Tinubu area and forcefully carted away their goods.

After looting, they passed through Willoughby Street to escape the Police team stationed at Itafaji junction, thereby disturbing Muslims, who gathered to observe Jumat service.

When our correspondent visited the affected areas, they were deserted as traders locked up their shops, while residents locked themselves inside to escape any further attack.

At Onola area, stern looking soldiers and team of Policemen were seen patrolling the vicinity and some nearby Streets like Itafaji junction, Tinubu/Alli Street junction.

Residents however, cried out for the immediate attention of the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, to come to their aid by fishing out the troublesome criminals and bring them to book in order to discourage other youths, who may want to emulate or join the bad groups.

As at the time of filing this report, some residents and few shop owners, who deal on consumables were seen around but visibly afraid and ready to escape on hearing any sound.

Efforts to get the PPRO, Lagos Command, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, to confirm and get update on the crisis proved abortive as his phone number was not reachable.