There was pandemonium in the Mushin area of Lagos on Monday evening as men suspected to be members of the Odua Peoples’ Congress and some Hausa youths in the area clashed.

PUNCH Metro learnt that although no one was killed, many sustained varying degrees of injuries while properties were damaged.

It was learnt that the violence began after some OPC members stormed a building occupied by Hausa youths and attacked them with bottles and cutlasses.

Upon getting wind of the situation, the Divisional Police Officer, Mr. Adekite Oyekan, immediately deplored policemen in the area resulting in the arrest of the suspected leader of the OPC, whose name was given simply as Obey.

It was however learnt that other members of the OPC escaped.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer for the state command, Mr. Joseph Jaiyeoba, said sanity had been restored in the area.

He said the arrested suspect had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba.

He said, “On June 4, 2012, at about 8pm, based on a distress call that some hoodlums suspected to be members of  the outlawed Oodua Peoples’ Congress were attacking a congregation of Hausa in Idi-Araba with bottles and cutlasses during prayer, the DPO, Itire, led a combined team of policemen to the scene to contain the situation.

“The hoodlums on sighting the policemen took to their heels. One Obey of no fixed address alleged to be the leader of the OPC men was arrested. Apart from some properties that were destroyed, no life was lost and no casualty recorded.

“However, the Hausa Community was pacified and reassured of adequate security at all times. Meanwhile, policemen are still on ground patrolling the area and effort is on to arrest the fleeing hoodlums. Investigation is in progress at the State Criminal Investigation Department Yaba.”

Gunmen kill commercial bus driver

Meanwhile, an unidentified commercial bus driver was killed in Mushin on Monday night by four armed men suspected to be members of a cult group.

An eyewitness, who spoke to PUNCH Metro on the condition of anonymity, said the deceased was buying food at a kiosk around 11pm when the gunmen shot him.

He said, “Around 11pm, at Moshalashi Bus Stop, Agege Motor Road, a danfo driver parked to buy noodles when about four guys, pointed at him saying ‘that is him’ and they shot him dead before fleeing.”

Confirming the incident, Jaiyeoba said policemen attached to Alakara Division immediately rushed to the scene but had yet to make any arrest. He said the identity of the deceased was still unknown.

Jaiyeoba said, “The deceased was said to have parked his bus and wanted to buy noodles when he was shot and killed. The hoodlums were said to be four in number and were believed to have trailed him from Ojuelegba.

Policemen immediately rushed to Ojuelegba but could not make any arrest. However, investigations are ongoing,” he said.

 -Punch