2 feared killed in sporadic gunfire as police clash with Mallams in Ogun State
Admin l Wednesday, July 22, 2020
OJODU-ABIODUN, Lagos – Not less than two Mallams have been feared killed by policemen attached to the Adigboluja Police Station when some Hausa boys who are commercial motorcycle operators invaded the police station to demand immediate release of over 10 members arrested by the police.
We gathered that the problem started following incessant demands and increment in union fees charged by the various unions regulating their operation in Lagos and Ogun State.
According to a source who spoke to our correspondent, the motorcycle operators got fed up and decided to brace up with the union to stop the anomaly. We gathered that some of the commercial motorbike operators, who are mainly Mallams put together some funds which they allegedly gave to the DPO of the police station, while the unions imposing fees on the motorbike operators also put together some money which they allegedly gave to the police authority in the police station.
“The police now took their van and parked at Berger, any Mallam Okada driver they see they will arrest and put in their motor, they have arrested over 10 of our members that is why we are protesting”, he said.
Our correspondent gathered that in the cause of the protest, some members of the Okada riders, mainly members of the Hausa community pelted the armed officers with heavy stones including the police statio which was returned with sporadic gunfire and a hot chase of the attacking motorbike operators.
Our correspondent reported that armed police men chased some of them into adjourning Hassan Abiodun Street shooting sporadically and in the process two of the okada riders were gun down. Our correspondent reported that he saw the policemen dragging one of those gunned down in the fracas like a dead goat across the road into the police station.
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The incident has caused confusion in the area with the police blocking the major entrance and adjourning roads, while some residents in adjourning streets have equally locked up their gates making it a Herculean task for Okada, motorist and commuters to move freely in the area.
Some traders have also been forced to lock up their shops, and run away to avoid being hit by stray bullets. Meanwhile, the police have called for reinforcement. Our correspondent also sighted Police helicopter hovering around the vicinity.
