By Evelyn Usman & Ifeanyi Okolie
Lagos — The densely populated Mushin area of Lagos, was again thrown into pandemonium, on Monday following a fierce clash between Akala and Ikoro boys, which left not less than five persons dead.

About 20 vehicles, 25 shops and two mosques were reportedly burnt during the mayhem, which left scores of persons injured.

Already residents of adjoining streets, some of who had their property destroyed in the clash, had fled their homes.
Vanguard gathered that trouble started around Adeshina Street, Sunday evening, which resulted in the death of two persons from Akala.

A reprisal by those from Akala Street occurred at about 3 a.m. Monday, when residents were jolted from sleep by sporadic gunshots.

The thugs reportedly rained terror on residents of Railway Line, including those of New Balogun, Yuba, Ikeolu and Coker Streets.

The clash which lasted till 10 a.m, reportedly led to the death of three persons.

Eye witnesses said the arrival of men of the Rapid Response Squad could not deter the Akala boys, as they engaged the police in a shoot-out. It, however, took the combined efforts of mobile and conventional policemen to contain the situation at noon.

Already, residents of the area are calling on the state government to wade into the crisis,  before it gets out of hand. Some of the residents, who lost their belongings, included a trader who lamented that his shop was not only bugled but razed for a cause he claimed knew nothing about.

Vanguard reliably gathered that the Police did not effect any arrest. Effort to reach the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Samuel Jinadu, proved abortive as he was said to be attending a security meeting between the Commissioner of Police, Mr Yusuf Alkali and other senior police officers at the command headquarters.