Hoodlums burn houses, shops in Lagos violence

Nine houses and shops adjoining the railway in Jibowu and Mushin areas of Lagos were razed down on Saturday morning by a fire allegedly started by some thugs. Residents of Ojelade, Lawani and other streets in the area, who lost their properties, told Crystal Rainbow that the fire started around 2am. It was learnt that the fire had consumed the buildings before firefighters arrived the area on Saturday morning. The Mushin area of Lagos has been embroiled in a protracted crisis between two rival groups- Toheeb boys and Toba boys. The groups had been locking horns in a battle of supremacy in the area. It was learnt that the streets where the houses were razed played host to Toheeb boys. Tears rent the air over the weekend as the victims of the fire who had been rendered homeless recounted their ordeal, calling the government to come to their aid. When our informant visited the area on Sunday, the streets were deserted while some sat in groups counting their losses. Mrs Omolara Musbau, whose house was burnt down, said she ran out of her house, naked, in the night to seek cover. Musbau, wrapped in a cloth borrowed from a neighbour, said, “It was a horrible incident as I nearly lost my life. This Mushin crisis is getting out of control and innocent people like us are made to bear the brunt. I ran out of the building naked to a neighbour’s house down the street. “I was woken up by the fire around 2am. My husband sustained injuries on his legs while scampering to safety. Some of us were using the dirty water in the gutter to quell the fire.” Another victim, who identified herself as Mrs Motunrola Balogun, lamented that all her properties were lost to the fire. She said, “As we were trying to stop the fire, we didn’t know that the hoodlums that started the fire still lurked around. They started pursuing us away from the area. We had to save our lives first. By the time we came back, the fire had burnt down all our properties. The televisions, fans and other electronics are all gone. It is quite saddening. It is like starting all over again.” A 61-year-old woman on Lawani street, who asked not to be named, urged the government to intervene in the crisis. She told our correspondent that while she was trying to put out the fire, she sustained injury on her head. Abiola Azeez, 43, told our informant that the crisis worsened on Saturday night as the hoodlums, believed to be Toba boys, staged another attack in the area. Azeez said although the Divisional Police Officer of Alakara Police Division and the Area Commander had visited the area, peace had yet to be restored. The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, who spoke with our informant in a telephone interview, said the police had launched a strict surveillance in the area to forestall chaos. Nwosu said, “We have been informed about the fire and investigation as to the cause of the fire whether it was accidental or started by some groups has begun. Some police officers have also visited the area. It was alleged that the Toba boys started the fire. But this is an allegation which is being investigated. We will find out whether this is true or not. We are doing our best to ensure that the crisis does not escalate.” -Omotoso Ibukunoluwa Reporting from Crystal rainbow