Two persons were stabbed to death and several others injured Saturday night at the Itire area of Surulere, Lagos, when two rival cult members clashed. The clash lasted till Sunday morning before the Police were able to take control.
At least eight persons have been arrested in connection with the killings. As at press time , policemen drafted from Rapid Response Squad (RRS ) of the Lagos State Police Command ,led by DCP Tunji Disu, and the Area C Command were on ground keep A police officer who spoke on the condition of anonymity as he was not supposed to speak to the press, said that the clash started from a drinking joint at Oseni street, Itire .
According to the police officer, “guns, cutlasses, broken bottles and charms were freely used by the cultists. Many vehicles were also burnt by the cultists. We have been able to calm down the situation. We have picked eight suspects. The suspects will help us in getting other members who are on the run.
We are are still on the ground , because we don’t want the war to escalate to other areas “. Giving insight into what happened, Lagos State police public relations officer DSP Bala Elkana, said:
” At about 22: 50 hours, police received a distress call of a fire outbreak at Chukuma Hotel by Babashola Street, Itire, and combined team of policemen and Firefighters was mobilised to the scene. The fire was eventually put out. Preliminary investigation revealed that the fire was set by cult groups, Eiye, and Aiye confraternity.
The clash started at a drinking joint in the hotel. Trouble started at about 22:00 hours when a hot argument ensued between members of the two rival gangs in the joint. The son of the owner of the hotel, who is now on the run was said to have stabbed a member of a rival gang, Aliu Lamidi, 29, in the neck.
The victim was rushed to the hospital where he eventually died.
” Three vehicles that were parked by the roadside were also burnt. Eight suspects were arrested in connection with the incident. Security is beefed up in the affected area. The investigation is ongoing and the suspects will be charged to Court soon “.
