expdonaloaded news: 8 injured, vehicles burnt as Oshodi boils again

Barely two weeks after rival factions of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) turned Oshodi into a battle ground, pandemonium erupted in Bolade area yesterday.  This time around, thugs of two political parties slugged it out over the closure of the market.

By the time police restored sanity, eight people were seriously injured.  Many property were vandalized by motor-park touts and street urchin’s who hijacked the clash.
Crime Watch Today gathered that trouble started when two rival political parties were quarreling over the closure of the market by their leaders.
A faction believed that the closure was uncalled for and for a selfish interest of a particular political party faithful.  The other party members said those who closed the market have reasons for doing so.
Crime Watch Today learnt that the argument snowballed into a clash as some street urchins and touts hijacked it.
An eyewitness, John Okotoba, said that “guns, acid/machetes, broken bottles and charms were freely used during the fracas.  I saw many people who were injured.  Those injured were mostly men.  They were about eight of them that I saw bleeding.
“Many passersby were robbed by the hoodlums who cashed in on the crisis to unleash mayhem on the innocent citizens.  The hoodlums also smashed cars.
“I learnt that two rival political parties were quarreling why the market leaders should close the market for campaign.  While one faction supported the closure, the other kicked against it.  As they were arguing, a fracas broke out,” he said.
A man who claimed to be a chieftain of one of the parties, MC Oluomo, in a text message told Crime Watch Today that one Essy fuelled the crisis that led to the destruction of  property.
At the scene yesterday, many police patrol teams were still there.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Kenneth Nwosu, said: “It was a minor skirmish but the police responded swiftly and dispersed the hoodlums.  No life was lost and security of the place is guaranteed. Lagosians should go about their normal duties without fear of intimidation.  The police have taken control of the situation,” he said.