Hoodlums vandalise vehicles, loot bar in Ajegunle

Some suspected hoodlums went on rampage on Okito Street in the Ajegunle area of Lagos State, vandalising no fewer than 10 vehicles.

The hoodlums were said to be armed with weapons such as cutlasses, bottles and guns.

After they reportedly exchanged gunfire with policemen from the Ajeromi Police Division for about 30minutes, they were said to have shifted attention to a popular bar in the area, Mavis Bar.

The bar was said to have been vandalised and looted.

The owner of the bar, Anthony Eyeh, told PUNCH Metro that the hoodlums vandalised two of his Plasma Televisions and carted away the N173,000 he made from sales that day.

He said trouble started after policemen who had visited his bar tried separating two warring parties.

He said, “It happened on Sunday around 10pm. I was in my office with about six policemen who had called at my place while on patrol.

“They were about leaving when I learnt that two people were about fighting in my bar and I asked the policemen to assist me to resolve the problem.

“The police pulled one of the men to the door and he held on to the gate, insisting he would not leave. He continued struggling with the policemen.

“Just then, some boys on the street began throwing bottles into the bar and people started running helter-skelter.”

The police in the pub were said to have mobilised and began firing into the air to disperse the boys.

Our correspondent was told that the boys also brought out guns and replied the police with equal firepower which spread panic among residents.

A witness, who pleaded anonymity said, “The police, who had been shooting into the air now faced them and shot directly at them and in the process, one of them was hit in the leg. The police then took to their heels.”

Eyeh said the gang, having defeated the police, entered the bar. He said he took refuge at the Ajeromi Police Station, where he also formally reported the matter.

“It was while I was at the station that they entered the bar and stole the plasma TVs from the entrance. They destroyed chairs and tables and damaged two television sets. All the money I made that day, about 173,000, was stolen from the safe.

“I have been doing business here for about 18 years now and although there had been misunderstandings, they have never taken a tragic turn like this.”

A resident, Kalu Eke, whose vehicle was damaged, said his jeep was in front of his house when the men broke the window glasses and windscreen.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the man, who sustained bullet wound during the chaos, was taken to a traditional healer in the area.

Our correspondent gathered that residents, whose vehicles were damaged, demanded that the police arrest the suspect from where he was being treated.

A resident, who did not want to be named because of his job, said policemen from Zone 2, Onikan, raided the traditional healer’s home and arrested the suspect.

He said, “They arrested the Ijaw man treating him and the suspect’s father as well. The bar man was invited to make statements.”

The bar owner told our correspondent that the police had released the suspect to his father on bail to treat his injuries.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Nwosu, said the police were actually called to disperse the rampaging youths, which was done.