Eight feared dead as rival gangs clash in Lagos

 

Eight persons feared dead during clash involving rival gangs in the Agege area of Lagos State.

The clash which occurred on Sunday night was said to be between armed men alleged to be Palace Boys loyal to one Mayor, as well as thugs from Shiaba, Pero and Otubu areas.

The deceased persons were said to be have either been shot, stabbed or hacked to death.

According to The Nation, the violence started over a disagreement on sharing formula of cash gifted them by a popular musician.

The artist, who grew up in Agege, was said to have visited the area on Saturday to watch a match and afterwards gave out N100,000 to the boys.

It was alleged that those he handed over the money to shortchanged others by declaring only about N20,000 which angered the Sheeba Boys.

Since the parties were already long time rivals, the disagreement over the cash gift gave them an opportunity to settle scores.

The Nation reported that a resident said the boys started attacking themselves with cutlasses, clubs, sticks and bottles, adding that the fight lasted all Sunday night and continued on Monday.

He said the eight persons feared killed belonged to both factions, adding that panic had since gripped residents.

“It was the eve of Eid when the fight started and so, it really caused panic. People scampered to safety. The gangs were just loose and freely used dangerous weapons. At the last count, I heard eight persons died between that Sunday night and Monday.”

The State police spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who confirmed the incident said information available to him indicated that one person was killed and another critically injured.