Ijegun Egba, Lagos State – A wave of violence has engulfed the Ijegun Egba community in Ori Ade Local Government, leaving two residents dead and scores injured. The attacks, spanning from last Thursday to Tuesday, have instilled fear and uncertainty in the once-peaceful neighborhood, with residents alleging inaction from local law enforcement.
The latest incidents occurred on Monday and Tuesday, claiming the lives of Gbenga Areagbo, a 40-year-old sickle cell patient, and Oladapo Olukoya. Olukoya’s body, according to eyewitness accounts, was forcibly taken by the assailants across the river to Ibasa via the community jetty.
The unrest began last Thursday, according to Kudus Fadiku, a resident of Ijegun Egba. Armed men from Ibasa reportedly stormed the Ijegun Egba jetty, harassing and robbing locals. Wasiu Ademola, an Ijegun Egba indigene, was targeted in the initial attack. “They descended on him,” Fadiku recounted. “He was seriously injured, and they wanted to take him to Ibasa. He only escaped after claiming to be a policeman, not a resident of Ijegun Egba.”
The violence escalated on Friday, with the assailants returning to the Zone 2 area of Ijegun Egba. Another resident, Kazeem, described how the attackers, allegedly guided by a local named Sodiq, specifically targeted and identified members of the Ijegun Egba community. “They used this information to rob and assault residents and passersby,” Kazeem stated, highlighting the seemingly targeted nature of the attacks. Residents claim they reported the initial attacks to the Satellite Town Police Station, but their concerns were allegedly dismissed, with officers claiming the area was peaceful.
The situation took a tragic turn on Monday when the group, reportedly led by individuals identified as Evico, Teslim, Ligali, and Jamiu, returned to the jetty area. They fatally shot Oladapo Adekoya, according to Kazeem. “They shot him, then used cutlasses and axes on him before taking his body to Ibasa,” he alleged.
Hon. Saeed Ayinde, a community leader in Ijegun Egba, shared details surrounding the death of Gbenga Areagbo. Ayinde was at the FCID, Alagbon, when he received news of the tragedy. “Gbenga was sitting with his friend, Lateef Arowolo, at Ade Oshodi junction when the hoodlums arrived,” Ayinde explained. “They came in about three vehicles and motorcycles, heavily armed.” Ayinde further stated that Lateef Arowolo narrowly escaped, but Areagbo, unable to flee, was not so fortunate. “They asked if he was Lateef. When he said no, they shot him at close range and then attacked him with axes.”
Community leaders say they have filed reports with the Area ‘E’ Police Command in Festac regarding the killings and attacks. However, residents claim that as of yet, no arrests have been made. Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, could not be reached for comment as calls to his mobile phone went unanswered.
