APC primaries: Aged mother, others killed in reprisal

Three persons, including an aged mother were killed and many others injured yesterday as suspected hoodlums carried out a reprisal on the murder of Union leader, Rasaq Bello at Shogunle area of Lagos State.

This brings the total number of people killed since the APC primaries violence erupted on Monday to five.

The aged woman is said to be the mother of the man, Samson Agbetoye, popularly called Golden that shot Bello dead. Bello’s mother was also said to have collapsed and rushed to hospital after hearing that her son was dead.

Agbetoye is said to be a transport union boss in Oshodi and a deadly rival to Bello.

Bello’s wife and children, who are overseas, are presently expected back in Nigeria. He is expected to be buried on Wednesday.

Tension has enveloped Shogunle and Ladipo as loyalists of Bello went on the rampage, attacking known supporters of the rival faction. They also burnt down vehicles.

Bello, Union leader of motorcycle riders at Shogunle, was shot dead, along with his friend, Biola Jimoh aka   Ijoba Small, on Monday, while witnessing the APC primaries at Shogungle.

The shooters were said to have arrived in bus, armed to the teeth. They made a beeline for Bello and shot into his midst. The shooters jumped back into their vehicles and zoomed off.

Bello was rushed to hospital, but died on the way to the hospital. His friend, Jimoh, battled to stay live in the hospital, but died on Tuesday.

The death of the two men infuriated supporters of Bello and they vowed to carry out reprisal on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, residents were rudely shaken out of their sleep by noise of violence and gunshots. Residents locked themselves indoors, while commercial activities never commenced.

The rampaging supporters were alleged to have gone to the house of Agbetoye.

When Bello’s men didn’t find Agbetoye at home, they allegedly shot his aged mother dead. The hoodlums further proceeded to burn down several vehicles in the community.

It was gathered that in the mayhem, Mr Desokan Baba and a yet to be identified man was killed.

A resident, who simply identified himself as Lateef said: “Bello and Jimoh were shot at the same time at the venue of the APC primaries. Everyone thought Jimoh would survive the gunshot, but he died at the hospital today (Tuesday).”

Some hoodlums had since Monday night been hovering around the Majekunmi residence of Agbetoye, before striking on Tuesday.

 A source around the Majekodunmi home of the slain union boss said that his parents had since on Monday evening, relocated to an unnamed Air Force Base 

There are fears among residents that the mayhem may continue. Meanwhile, policemen from the Lagos State Police Command have flooded Shogunle, Oshodi and other areas, curtailing the attacks.

 Efforts to get the reaction of the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) ASP, Olarinde Famous- Cole on the number of arrest, failed as calls to his mobile phone lines were not answered.