Emmanuel Thomas l Monday, September 18, 2017
LAGOS, Nigeria – Not less than six people have been confirmed dead and several others injured in bloody cult war in Lagos. An eye witness said, the six people were killed when a notorious cult leader, Abdul Rasaq Kareem aka Falapa lead his gang in a bloody clash with youths at Okepopo and Onola area, on the Island.
We gathered that Felapa was able to cause this level of fatalities because he was armed with a sophisticated riffle with which he overwhelmed his rivals armed with dane guns.
Among those felled by hid bullets are Irabor, Mustapha and four others whose name were not known as at the time of filing this report. Eye witness revealed that Falapa had vowed to take revenge on three of his gang members from Okepopo who were lynched to death by Onola boys earlier this year.
“To make his plan successful, he bought a new gun and has been looking for opportunity to execute his mission. He succeeded during 155 year celebration of Epetedo’s existence. Falapa and his gang during the occasion pursued Onola boys who left the area at about 3.30am and attacked them along Tokunbo Street, killing two of them”, a source revealed.
“Also, on Friday night, one Irabor among the Onola youths was shot dead by Falapa at Atiko area on the Island, Mustapha (Son of late Suraju omo Iya Sari) was also shot dead by same Falapa on Sunday afternoon along Branco Street and two others were shot dead at Okepopo area when the Onola boys went for a reprisal attack on Monday morning”, he said.
The incessant killing has led to the closure of many shops and markets at Itafaji, Evans, Branco, Olushi, Atiko, Onola, Okepopo, Massey Apatira, Smith and other adjacent Streets on the Island. Residents were seen packing out in some of the areas mentioned to nearby relatives so as not to be victim of Falapa terror acts.
Meanwhile, police from Area ‘A’ command, Lion Building have in the early hour of Monday raided an undisclosed hotel where some members of Falapa gangs go for cover after operations and two of Falapa lieutenants named as ‘Semo and Segun Playboy were arrested among others and now cooling their head in police cell.
The visit of the AIG Zone Two command Onikan, Lagos to Lion Building Area’A’ command on Monday morning may not be connected with the success of police in apprehending Falapa gang members during the raid
It would be recalled that the new Commissioner of Police, Lagos Command, Ag. CP Edgal Imohimi, on Thursday, assured Lagos-Island residents that he would bring an end to neighborhood crimes of gangsterism and cultism prevalent in the area.
He gave the assurance during a Town-Hall Stakeholders Security Meeting hosted by the Area ‘A’ Commander, ACP J. O Akinyede at Lion Building, Lagos.
“We continue to have neighborhood crimes and cult-related violence and for this reason, I have with immediate effect ordered Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers to reach out to traditional rulers, CDAs and other voluntary groups. We will set up vigilante group in Area ‘A’ command to reach out to inner streets and neighborhoods to restore peace in the community”.
“I know we have had the vigilante before but we will give it legal functionality by inviting young interested men to come forward following which they will be profiled and attached with armed policemen for night patrol. I have also ordered raids on uncompleted buildings and markets to make sure they are not turned into havens of criminal hideout.” he said.
The CP also emphasized the need to gain the public’s trust for a successful community policing, saying, “I have told my area commanders and divisional Police officers and men that policing will now be by walking about. They must move to the neighborhoods, attend their meetings and talk to the people. Policing in Lagos will now be with collaboration and consent of the people”.
Imohimi said he would not condone any form of corruption among policemen, adding that an officer was recently suspended and currently being investigated for alleged misconduct. He also commended the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode for approving the donation of 109 power generating sets and flashlights for police stations in the state.
According to him, this will help make policing more effective as anyone could spot a police station from anywhere and walk in at any time.
