There has been tension in the Tollgate area of Mushin, Lagos State, after some suspected cult members, who stormed the community, shot dead two traders.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the deceased were Hausa traders.
While one, identified as Salisu, had a shoe-making shop in the area, the other, whose name had yet to be ascertained, was an itinerant beverage seller, who decided to rest at Salisu’s shop on Wednesday before they were caught in the crossfire.
Two other victims were said to be receiving treatment in different hospitals in the area.
A witness, Ade Buraimo, said the hoodlums, who wielded guns and other weapons, invaded the community around 9pm.
He said, “They were many. We didn’t suspect anything until they brought out their guns and opened fire on everybody.
“Salisu and his friends were riddled with bullets.
“Another Hausa trader, who sells roast meat, was also hit and seriously injured.
“A friend of mine sustained gunshot injuries.”
He said among the hoodlums were Wale Sobo, SP Toheeb, Nuru Amala, Big one, Amala Second, Josi, Dipo Sars, Ibrahim, among others.
Our correspondent was told that the gang members entered the community and sneaked out without any challenge from the police.
A resident, Biodun Fowosere, claimed that he called the Alakara Divisional Police Officer, who did not respond to the emergency.
Investigations by our correspondent showed that there had been a battle of supremacy between the Tollgate boys and their rivals, known as Toba’s boys.
The factions were said to be at war over the control of toll collection in the Mushin area.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said one Nafiu Abiodun, was also shot dead recently, adding that there had not been peace in the area.
“Toba’s boys want to take over the ticketing of motorcyclists from the Tollgate boys and that has resulted in a lot of bloodshed,” he added.
Another resident, John Adun, said the government should urgently investigate the killings and bring culprits to book.
But Toba Joel, who claimed not to be in Lagos, denied knowledge of the incident.
He said, “I don’t like my name appearing in incidents like this. I am not even in Lagos and so how could I have influenced such a thing? What I learnt was that the fight was caused by prostitutes. And I was told that it was a fight between Tollgate boys and some other hoodlums.”
The Police Public Relations Officer, Joe Offor, when contacted said investigations were on.
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