PHOTO: Cultists Set Buildings On Fire In Akoka

At least 25 persons have been rendered
homeless after suspected cultists invaded two
buildings on Sholanke Street in the Akoka, Yaba
area of Lagos State and set fire to them.
Our Source learnt that the hoodlums, who
came at about 7.30am on Wednesday, did not
allow their victims to take any property from the
buildings.

It was learnt that rival cultists had clashed on
Ibukunolu Street on Tuesday at about 7pm, and
had stabbed a 17-year-old student, identified only
as Rilwan, to death.
Two of the attackers were said to be identified as
Lolade, also known as Makayoko , and Ororo .
Our correspondent learnt that the victim, who
worked as a printer on the street, was from a
family of three, and had just gained admission to
the Yaba College of Technology.
Our Source gathered that angry rival cultists
had thereafter stormed Sholanke Street in the
night, and threatened that they would raze
Makayoko 's father's apartment as a reprisal for
the killing of Rilwan.
It was learnt that some residents alerted the
policemen from the Bariga division to the unrest
and the police came on patrol during the night.
Our correspondent gathered that the cultists,
however, stormed the street at about 7am on
Wednesday, locked the street gates and set fire to
Makayoko 's father's house.
The landlord of the building was identified simply
as Oyedele.
When Our Source arrived at about 9.30am,
there were people in front of the buildings trying
to salvage property from the fire.
Our correspondent observed two police vans
from the Bariga division patrolling the street, and
two fire service trucks driving out.
One of the occupants of the building, a father of
five, Abu Abdullahi, said the hoodlums did not
allow the firefighters to enter the area as they had
locked the two gates.
He said, "The hoodlums came around 7.30am.
The anger of the cultists was that one boy was
killed on the neighbouring street. We later heard
that our landlord's son was seen where the boy
was killed.
"The police came last night on a patrol in a van,
but they left in the morning. Around 7am, we
noticed a tall guy standing in front of the house
and making calls. In a few minutes, the hoodlums
stormed the buildings and set them on fire.
"We began to run out with the property we could
carry. I have five children. Only the last born of
my children stays with me. I was working with the
University of Lagos before I retired. The police
were aware of yesterday's killing, and they should
have strengthened security in the area.
"We also called the firefighters. It was later that
we learnt that they were around for 15 minutes
after we called, but the hoodlums did not allow
them to enter."
Another occupant, Stephen Okisor, said he could
not pick any property from the fire.
He said, "We are about four families in the first
building. The Boys Quarters houses about three
families. I could not pick any item from the fire,
except this clothes I am wearing."
A resident, who identified himself simply as
Micah, said the policemen did not come promptly
to arrest the hoodlums.
He said, "It was around 8am that I noticed the
fire. When the firefighters came, they were
barred by the hoodlums from coming into the
street. Twenty minutes after, the police arrived in
the area, but everything had died down."
Our correspondent noticed the Rapid Response
Squad car driving into the area at about 11am
when most of the crowds had dispersed.
Our Source learnt that the police in Bariga had
yet to arrest any of the suspected cultists.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer,
DSP Joe Offor, said he was at a meeting and he
would get back to our correspondent on the
matter.
He, however, had yet to get back as of press time.
Source: Punch Metro