Clash over motorpark leaves two dead in

Anarchy returned to Oshodi, Lagos city centre yesterday when a fierce clash between factions of the National Union Of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) disrupted commercial activities for several hours as the hoodlums went on rampage.

Two people were allegedly feared killed in the fracas with many others sustaining several degrees of injuries as some of the hoodlums took advantage of the mayhem to loot many shops and businesses in Oshodi Market.

Although the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police (SP) has debunked the claim that two people were killed during the clash, she told newsmen that some persons had been arrested over the incident.

“Policemen have been deployed to the scene to restore normalcy. As I’m speaking with you now, normalcy has returned to the area. Nobody was killed during the fight. Police are still investigating,” she said.

The Guardian gathered that two factions of the union (Talo and Bush boys) engaged themselves in a violent fight over who would become the chairman of the union. Cutlasses, guns and other dangerous weapons were freely used during the clash.

It was gathered that chairman of one of the factions had attempted to overthrow the incumbent chairman whose supporters resisted the move.

A shoe seller at Oshodi, who identified himself simply as Mike, disclosed that the fight was so bloody that he had to close his shop and ran away from the scene.

“As I was packing, one of the hoodlums armed with a cutlass came and removed two pairs of my shoes. I told him to go with the shoes. I learnt they killed two people. Some others are saying five people were killed and there are fears of reprisal attacks between the warring factions.”

Others who spoke to The Guardian said the fight was fueled by a faction reportedly attempting to dislodge the other faction from controlling the collection of levies in the area.

The two factions blocked the ever-busy Agege Motor Road, thereby obstructing free flow of traffic. The arrival of policemen from the Rapid Response Squad and police formations around Oshodi doused the tension.

There are, however, fears that the fight may escalate, following reported threats from the two warring faction.