A man simply identified as Charles was said to have been killed during a gun battle between the police and some hoodlums at Amukoko area of Lagos State.
The cause of the gun battle between the security men and the bandits could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report.
The Point gathered that some innocent people were wounded during the gun
duel.
However, eyewitnesses claimed that the police engaged the hoodlums who were terrorising the community in exchange
of fire.
Charles, who resides at Akintimoye Street, Amukoko, was said to have died on the way to the hospital as a result of the bullet wound he sustained.
It was gathered that Charles had earlier lost his elder brother in a similar circumstance some years back.
One of the eyewitnesses, who gave his name as Tunde Adebiyi, said the hoodlums were shooting and dispossessing people of their valuables when the police arrived at Akintimoye Street.
He said the hoodlums opened fire on the police immediately they sighted them.
The eyewitness, who expressed worries at the crime rate in the area, said, “Hoodlums do not allow us to sleep peacefully at night. If they are not robbing people, they are attacking.
“Things are getting out of hand. Government should do something about the rage of hoodlums at Amukoko. They are very many and they are usually armed with guns. There is nothing the residents can do about them. The other day, they attacked my wife at night. They threatened to kill her if she failed to surrender her money and handset to them.
“She handed the N36, 000 on her to them. The other day was the turn of my neighbour; they injured him with cutlass as he was returning from work. Nobody can say exactly what caused the recent fight. They came with guns and were shooting. Many people ran out of the community. Government should do something very fast now.”
Another resident, Mrs Iyabo Ajayi, said she narrowly escaped death. “It was God that saved my life. I was running to bring my son when I saw them shooting. I had to run inside a compound at Akintimoye area. They robbed people of their money, handsets and other valuables. “Bullet hit a woman in the hand as I managed to escape from the scene. The woman screamed but there was nobody to assist her. One of the hoodlums held her and collected her handset and the N2,000 with her. The woman wept saying she had collected the money from her relation. She said she had no money at home to feed the children.
“She said she wanted to use the money to feed her children when they return from school. She added that her shop was burgled at Layinka area, Ajegunle, recently. Her sewing machines and her customers’ clothes were stolen. I had to give her N500. It is only God that is saving our lives here.
“One person was killed at Akintimoye Street when hoodlums engaged police in exchange of gunfire. If I had money I would have relocated from this area. We can no longer sleep with our eyes closed. I am afraid I cannot continue to live in this area with my children”.
