Policeman, two feared killed, others injured Igbo traders attacked, compelled to swear oath to vote APC in guber election
Non-indegenes in Okota send SOS to Ambode; As Bode George calls for caution A policeman and two traders were yesterday feared dead in the crisis that erupted at Okokomaiko and Lagos Island areas of Lagos state, following the declaration of President Muhammadu Buhari as winner of Saturday’s election.
Another policeman, a Sergeant said to have been attacked by the hoodlums at Alaba Rago, was still undergoing treatment at time of this report. Several other persons sustained varying degrees of injuries in the ensuing stampede.
All Progressives Congress (APC) party supporters rally as they celebrate the re-election of the incumbent president and the leader of APC, in Kano on February 27, 2019. – Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari said his re-election was “free and fair”, after his beaten rival denounced the results as a “sham” and promised a legal challenge that could dominate politics for weeks. The 76-year-old one-time military ruler’s victory was confirmed late on February 26, 2019, after rescheduled polling blamed on logistical difficulties.
Information at Vanguard’s disposal revealed that some Hausa youths took to the street at Okokomaiko, along the Badagry-Mile two expressway, chanting sai baba in celebration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory. They marched from Okokoko to Cassidy, down to Alaba-Rago, pouring powder and water on themselves. But the celebration took a violent dimension when they barricaded the road, preventing motorists’ access. Not done, they allegedly attacked commercial motorcyclists and traders at Alaba Rago. Eye witnesses said another group of youths who kicked against President Buhari’s victory, rose up to the defence of those being attacked, leading to a free-for-all, during which several persons were injured.
A police team from Okokomaiko division which stormed the scene to quell the situation was attacked by the rampaging group. The group reportedly marched to the police station in an apparent attempt to invade it but the move was stopped by the Police. The situation, which disrupted vehicular movements along the ever-busy expressway, also forced traders to lock up for the day. A trader, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said: “I was on my way to Agbara when I heard sporadic shootings at Alaba Rago, which forced driver of the bus I boarded to stop at the Lagos State University, in order not to be caught in the crossfire. A police officer was shot in the process but I don’t know if he died or survived.” Another eyewitness, Anu, said Police reinforcement fired at the rampaging group, shooting two of them.
Source: Vanguard
