Three die during cult clash in lagos

Residents of Ajosegbemi in the Somolu Local
Government Area, Lagos State, say the community
has been in palpable fear since last Sunday when
three persons were killed in a clash between rival
cults – Eye and Aiye.
The residents, who spoke with PUNCH Metro, said
the incident had affected the peace in the
community as most people had to stay indoors from
9pm.


Our correspondent learnt that the deceased persons
were clubbed to death on Awoseyin, Odunlade and
Agunbiade streets inward Onipanu bus stop on the
fateful day.


It was gathered that members of Aiye fraternity had
gone on the rampage to avenge the death of a
member’s brother, Azeez Akinwumi, a tennis player,
who was killed by some Eye cult members.


A resident of Agunbiade Street, Peju Afolabi, said
one of the hoodlums was killed, adding that it took a
combined team of policemen from Alade, Pedro and
Onipanu divisions to stop the violence.
She said, “I was attending to a customer around
1.30pm on that day when I saw some youths
chasing a guy. I rushed into my shop and locked
myself in. They eventually caught the guy and slit
his throat. It was policemen that later came to pick
his corpse. I learnt the guy was not a resident.”
Another resident, who identified himself only as
Dipo, said he saw two lifeless bodies in a pool of
blood on his way home from Onipanu.


He said, “I was at Onipanu with a friend when I
observed there was confusion on Agunbiade Street.
I took an alternative route to Anifowoshe Street
where I live. On my way home, I noticed that
everywhere was deserted. There was a corpse on
Awoseyin Street and I saw another one just before
Odunlade Street. I learnt that it was a clash between
Eye and Aiye cult members.


“I later learnt that it was the death of Azeez
(Akinwumi) who was a brother of an Aiye member
that caused the chaos. We have been living in fear
and we can’t stay outside beyond 9pm again.”


It was gathered that some traders in the community
lost their goods to the fracas while scampering to
safety.
A resident, Kehinde Mubi, however, lamented that
policemen, who raided the neighbourhood after the
clash, arrested innocent persons.


The Chairman, Ajosegbemi Community Development
Association, Mr. Tunji Awokoya, said some of the
miscreants worked for politicians and that people
were afraid to identify them for fear of being hunted.
He said, “The community had been peaceful for
several months until this incident occurred. It is
politicians that are using these hoodlums. Some
people told me three persons died; some said it was
four. For how long will this continue?


“Some residents know these hoodlums but they are
afraid to disclose their identities. The executive
secretary of Somolu Local Government has a role to
play in curbing this violence.”


The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP
Joe Offor, confirmed the deadly attack, adding that
several others were injured.


He said, “The fight was between Eye and Aiye
groups. Deaths were recorded but we cannot
ascertain the number for now. People that were
injured have been taken to hospitals and some
arrests have been made. Investigation is ongoing.”