One Killed, Vehicles Vandalised As Youths Clash In Mushin

A 29-year-old man identified simply as Bode
was killed after members of rival groups
clashed in Mushin, Lagos State on Sunday
and Monday.
PUNCH Metro learnt that Bode’s death was as a
result of a reprisal on a youth, identified as Joseph
Odebowale.
Our correspondent, who visited the scene of the
clash at Adeyemi Street, Olosha, learnt that
Odebowale, an 18-year-old boy, was beaten up by
some youths on the street (Adeyemi) few weeks
ago following an allegation of r*pe.
A resident, who craved anonymity, said, “A few
weeks ago, Joseph (Odebowale) was accused of
defiling a young lady and some youths in Adeyemi
Street then came after him and beat him up.
On Sunday night Joseph brought some guys from
Onipanu Tolgate to Adeyemi Street on a revenge
mission.
“The gun-wielding youths shot sporadically into the
air, making everybody to scamper to safety. They
later spotted Bode and shot him. He died on the
spot.”
It was learnt that the incident infuriated some
people on Adeyemi Street and who went to Joseph’s
house on Akodu Street but did not find him there.
The young men were said to have riddled the house
with bullets and vandalised properties on the street,
including vehicles.
When our correspondent visited the house on
Monday, pieces of broken glasses littered the
compound, while all the rooms in the building were
locked.
A man living in the house, who spoke to our
correspondent on the condition of anonymity, said
all occupants had fled because they feared that the
youth could come back.
He said, “On Sunday night, some youths came to
avenge Bode’s death but instead of going to 7
Akodu Street, they went to 9 and vandalised
vehicles and killed a dog which was barking.
“When we saw what was happening, everybody
fled the house. On Monday morning, they came
back to number 7 and started shooting at the
house.
“When they got to Odebowale’s house, they saw his
mother there and threatened to kill her but
policemen arrived just in time.”
Our correspondent learnt that policemen attached
to Alakara and Olosan divisions were able to
disperse the youths.
It was also learnt that the policemen arrested
Odebowale’s landlord, Gbolahan Olowu,
Meanwhile, Bode has been buried at Atan
Cemetery, Yaba.
Our correspondent, who was present at the burial
on Monday, reported that the youth vowed to
avenge Bode’s death.
One of them, who wept profusely and held Bode’s
blood-stained shirt, said, “When I saw you on
Sunday night, I didn’t know that was the last time I
would see you. I swear that those responsible for
your death will be dealt with.”
But residents of Akodu Street have asked the police
to intensify security in the area.
When contacted on the telephone, the
spokesperson for the state command, Ngozi Braide,
said she would get back to our correspondent.