EXCLUSIVE: Six Dead, Scores Injured as Factions Clash in Lagos

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

No fewer than six persons were weekend killed and scores inflicted with varying degree of injuries, in a renewed clash between three opposing cult factions at the Ajah area of Lagos.  Whilst the fight lasted, residents and motorists fled to safety as the warring factions engaged themselves in a gun duel that lasted for hours before security operatives moved in.

The clash which was blamed on the fight for supremacy over control of motor parks in the area, was said to be between Ajah, Olumegbon and Ilaje factions. This recent clash has incited fear in the area as the memories of a similar clash occasioned by wanton destruction of lives and properties in the area months back is yet to fade.

In the previous clash, the entire Ilaje community was set ablaze over control of Ilaje Bus Stop which led to the death of about 10 persons, as well as the displacement of scores of families. 

Sources explained that the clash which is a battle for the ownership and territorial control of Ajah, is between the Ilaje community and the main indigenes of Ajah.

While the Ilaje community are regarded as settlers in the area, the indigenes of the Ajah community have risen up to reclaim their land, a move that has been strongly rebuffed by the Ilajes.

The tentative peace restored to the community by the team of policemen attached to the area , was however torn Saturday afternoon when a fresh crisis erupted.

One of the residents of  Ilaje, Tunji Olapupo said the clash had initially been between Olumegbon and Ajah  but quickly spread down to Ilaje.

According to him, the duo of Olumegbon and Ajah communities who had formed an alliance against Ilaje community, became enemies because of the battle to control parks in the area.

THISDAY gathered that Olumegbon Boys were lured to Ajah on the pretext that a peace meeting would be held only to be  attacked by their counterpart.

Olapupo however appealed to the police and the state government to intervene and prevent the warring hoodlums from causing further mayhem as was witnessed months back.

Although security operatives were said to have been drafted to the area, attempts to contact the spokesperson for the state Police Command, DSP Ngozi Braide, proved abortive.