community in the Lekki Phase 1, Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Lagos,
and razed about 500 cabins.
It was learnt that the assailants had laid siege to the community
named Otodo Gbame while a large number of its residents had left for
their places of work.
Those that were around reportedly scampered for safety as the
attackers chased them with weapons and set about 500 cabins ablaze,
including homes, churches and schools. One of the men who were trying
to put out the fire was said to have been shot and hacked with
cutlasses. Others sustained various degrees of injuries.
Four-year-old twins and a three-month-old baby were reported to have
been trapped in the inferno, while four other children were still
missing as of the time of filing this report.
Our correspondent further gathered that the hoodlums were led by one
Wasiu. The alleged ring leader,PUNCH Metrolearnt, had ordered the
residents to leave the community, claiming that it belonged to his
family.
On a visit to the community on Friday, PUNCH Metroobserved traces of
blood, broken bottles, burnt clothes and household items entangled in
the rubble of the cabins, while some residents were busy searching for
one valuable or the other.
The Baale of the community, Hunpe Dansu, said the community was still
searching for four missing children. He stated further that the
invasion was reported at the Jakande Police Station and the Divisional
Police Officer, adding that no policeman had visited the place.
He said, "They set our buildings ablaze. We don't know our offence.
Apart from the three children that were trapped in the inferno and one
man they shot dead, four other children are still missing.
One of the victims, Azanpo Boniface, said, "I was trying to put out
the fire in my building when they attacked me."
Another victim, Banabas Wetewu, who was hacked in the cheek, could not
speak. Sympathisers said the cut penetrated into his mouth.
An eyewitness, Anasu Emmanuel, said, "They were like Boko Haram
people. I managed to take some pictures and record some videos. I saw
the twins and a baby in the fire but I could not help or else I would
have been killed too. Their mothers were confused trying to pick one
or two things. We don't even know their whereabouts since the incident
happened."
Residents also said that the attackers exploited the confusion to
steal some of their valuables.
A food seller, who identified herself simply as Iya Ibadan, said all
that she had accumulated for 10 years had been shattered by the
assailants.
She said, "This is my tenth year in Lagos. All my property had been
spoilt. I don't have anything left."
A bar operator, Joseph Idisu, said a plasma television, laptop and
beers worth N32,000 were stolen from his bar.
Another resident, Ogechi Diminic, said, "My sisters and I were at our
places of work when we received a call that the place was on fire.
Before any of us could get home, all our property had been burnt. The
only things we have left are the dresses we are putting on now."
A youth leader in the community, Mr. Samson Sose, said Wasiu had been
evacuating sand from their surroundings for supply and wanted them to
vacate the land to expand his activity.
"He wants us to leave so that he can have enough sand to sell. For the
fear of other attacks, people have started packing out already even
though they don't have anywhere to go to," he said.
Efforts to speak with Wasiu proved abortive. However, a man who said
he was Wasiu's uncle, and identified himself as Chief Segun, said the
community was part of their family land. He added that Wasiu was not
the person that attacked the area.
He said, "There is no community like Otodo Gbame. The youth in that
area are armed robbers and hooligans. I learnt there was fighting and
some people were injured. Wasiu did not lead any gang and nobody was
killed."
The council Chairman, Mr. Anofiu Elegushi, said Wasiu and others had
gone to the community, which he described as a black spot, to sanitise
it.
"The place is a security threat to people. They were accommodated
there on temporary basis after they were displaced from the Banana
Island. Wasiu and other boys only went for sanitisation. It was
unfortunate that it turned to violence. Nobody died though people were
injured," he said.
Calls made to the Lagos State Police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide rang
out. She had also yet to reply to the messages sent to her phones.
PUNCH
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