Panic As Hoodlums Attack Lagos Community, Block Badagry Expressway

Sun News reports that some hoodlums and rival gangs have caused a stir in Ijanikin in Olorunda local council area after they attacked a textile market in the community.

According to The Sun, the hoodlums also took over adjourning Lagos/Badagry expressway, thereby blocking the only road connecting Lagos to other West African countries.

Commuters plying the road have sent a distress message to the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi over blockades of Lagos Badagry Road at night by youths and hoodlums from the neighbouring Oto and Ijanikin communities.

Both communities have been at loggerheads since three days ago after masqueraders from one of the communities allegedly assaulted an indigene.

About a week ago, angry youths from the area had blocked the same Ijanikin section of the road protesting the death of an Okada rider in the area who allegedly died at the hands of policemen.

Narrating his ordeal last night, a commercial bus driver who gave his name as Suliman Lagelu said on getting to Ijanikin, angry youths wielding cutlasses, Dane guns and charms cordoned off the road and ordered him to turn back. Other vehicles that resisted them were attacked and their vehicles vandalised.

Lagelu added that not even the presence of policemen from neighbouring Ijanikin police station could bring the situation under control as they retreated inside their post and locked their gates.

It was also gathered that stranded commuters who attempted to seek refuge at the station till in the morning, were turned back by the station guard who said he was not authorised to open the gate for anybody.

Most of the commuters who passed the night on the highway called on the state governor and the Commissioner of Police to quickly intervene before the case results in a serious security breach.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Ben Hundeyin confirmed the blockade.

“We are fully aware of the ongoing trouble at Ijanikin area of Lagos State. While officers and men of Ijanikin Division are fully on ground, reinforcement has been dispatched. Meanwhile, the road has since been reopened. We are closely monitoring the situation,” he posted on Twitter.