Street gang fights that began on Sunday night at Agege area of Lagos have left at least eight persons feared dead.
The deceased, including one Isa were shot, stabbed or hacked by armed men alleged to be Palace boys loyal to one Mayor, as well as thugs from Shiaba, Pero and Otubu areas.
Although there had been clashes between the factions, it was gathered that Sunday night’s violence started over disagreement on sharing formula of cash gift 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 dropped N100,000 cash gift.
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.
A resident, who spoke to newsmen on the incident, said the boys started attacking themselves with cutlasses, clubs, sticks and bottle, 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.
“We are living in fear as there is rumour that they will attack this night again. We heard they were strike around Ajah 1, which is before the stadium.
“We really need the police to step in and arrest these people as the situation is already getting out of hand.
“This fight has been on since last year during Mayor’s birthday at the Palace.
The police are aware and have been on the case before now. I do not know why they stopped,” said the resident who pleaded anonymity.
Asked if the police intervened in the violence, he said yes, adding that operatives even used teargas to disperse the crowd and patrolled the Ashade Palace on Monday morning but never showed up again.
Contacted for reaction, spokesman for the Police Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin said information available to him indicated that one person was killed and another critically injured.
He said: “I have called the DPO in charge of Pen Cinema Police Station and she confirmed that there was cult clash.
“She also confirmed one person was killed and another crucially injured. That is the record we have.”