Gang leader shoots three dead at Lagos party

There has been tension in the Railway Line area of Oyingbo, Lagos State, after hoodlums led by a gang leader, identified as John Ibafo, unleashed mayhem, shooting dead three persons, with several others injured.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the deceased, who had come from the Lagos Island area to attend a party in Oyingbo, were identified simply as Akeem, Sanni and Kola.

Our correspondent gathered that the problem started on Saturday after some hoodlums from Otto, Jones Street, mobilised to Oyingbo and robbed some of the residents.

It was learnt that the hoodlums in Oyingbo, identified as Fagbayimu and Iya Agan boys, and led by John Ibafo, later at about 9pm, invaded the Railway Line area, and began to shoot sporadically.

The deceased, who were guests at a party in the place, were said to have been hit in the process, while others escaped with injuries.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the shootings extended till Tuesday with gunshots renting Jones Street, Old Apapa Road and Railway Line, Oyingbo, in the evenings.

When our correspondent visited the area on Wednesday, a resident, identified only as Ishola, said the three corpses were removed by their families at the Railway Line area on Sunday, adding that Ibafo had threatened to unleash more violence.

He said, “Ibafo has been on the wanted list of the police. The Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja, is also on his trail. He has pump-action guns, and these were what he used on Saturday. The three deceased were not even based in Oyingbo; they were innocent visitors at a party near the Railway Line area.

“At about 9pm, the gunshots rent the air, and people started running helter-skelter. It was the Fagbayimu boys versus the Otto boys. By Sunday morning, we saw the three corpses. Other injured persons were immediately rushed to a hospital. They also reported the matter at the Iponri Police Division.”

Our correspondent gathered from a source that the families of the deceased failed to report to the police, but went ahead to bury their relations.

However, one of those injured by bullets, who gave his name simply as Adesiyan, said the gang wanted to kill him and accused him of belonging to a rival gang.

“Their bullet hit me in the jaw, and I have been receiving treatment since Sunday at the Lagos Island General Hospital. I was coming home on that day when they waylaid me around Jones Street, and accused me of belonging to a rival cult. Before I could say anything, they shot and the bullet tore my jaw,” he added.

Another eyewitness, Sharafadeen, said gunshots from hoodlums had not ceased on Jones Street and Otto area at evening times since the Saturday incident.

He said, “The hoodlums still fought on Monday and Tuesday. They come out in the evenings and disturb the peace by continuous gunshots. John Ibafo, the gang leader, is well known to the police, but he does not have a fixed address.”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joe Offor, said he would get back to our correspondent with details of the incident.

He, however, had yet to get back as of press time.

Source:Punch