Youths clash in Lekki, destroy properties

A clash occurred between Yoruba and Egun youths on Wednesday, November 9, 2016, and over 200 properties were destroyed, reports say.

According to Punch, the Yoruba youths allegedly attempted to force members of the Egun community to vacate their residents and an argument ensued.

What triggered the clash that saw two people injured, was that the Yoruba youths burnt the properties of the Egun people living in Otodo Gbame area of Lekki, in a bid to have their way.

An eyewitness who gave an account of the incident said “The crisis started on Sunday. Some people came and said they had bought our land and we should relocate. We did not know that the hoodlums would go to this extent.

“The crisis escalated on Wednesday when they invaded the community and set fire to our property. All my belongings are gone. My wife and children are homeless."

A policeman who spoke to Punch said “When the structures were set ablaze, the mother and the father of the baby fled. It was the cry of the baby that drew the attention of policemen to that room. The baby was locked inside the house. The baby was rescued and reunited with her parents.

“Nobody was killed, but about three persons were injured. The entire community was razed.”

When the Lagos state Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmos was contacted, she confirmed the incident.

Badmos also said “The command received a report that the Egun and Yoruba communities were engaged in a serious brawl over land issue. Upon receipt of the information, the command operatives from the RRS and men of the Area J Command moved in. Some shanties being occupied by the residents were set ablaze by the warring factions.

“A baby was rescued from the one of the houses. Five suspects were also arrested in connection with the fracas. The CP visited the scene and promised that everyone involved in the clash would be duly prosecuted.”

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Some sources allege that the youths who came to force the Egun people out of their community are land grabbers.

The Lagos Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode recently approved the Lagos State Properties Protection Law, which stipulates a 21 year jail term for land grabbers.