By Evelyn Usman & Davies Iheamnachor

Social miscreants otherwise known as area boys clashed, yesterday, at Fadeyi area of Lagos State, leaving two persons dead, just as one person was killed when some boys reportedly engaged Policemen in gun battle in Choba community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

One of those who lost his life in the clash in Lagos was a dispatch rider, who was hit by stray bullet, while the other was a member of one of the factions.

The cause of the fight which took place about 11 am was unknown, but residents said they were jostled by sporadic gun shots, which sent them scampering in different directions for safety.

The crisis hampered commercial activities as well as vehicular movement along the busy Ikorodu Road. A team of policemen said to have stormed the area with the intention of arresting the situation were forced to leave the scene  for  re-enforcement.

A resident, who spoke to Vanguard , said: “The dispatch rider ran into them. Before he could make u-turn, a bullet hit him, killing  him on the spot. This is not the first time we are witnessing such fight here.”

However, at press time, normalcy had returned, with policemen patrolling the area. An Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC, was stationed in the area.

Contacted, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Elkana Bala, said 33 persons had been arrested, adding that investigation was ongoing.

One killed as suspected cultists engage police in gun battle

There was pandemonium in Choba community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, yesterday, as over 16 boys engaged policemen in a gun battle as one Shedrack was gunned down in the area by unknown persons, in the early hours of yesterday.

It was learned that the gunmen, suspected to be members of a cult group, had terrified the policemen with their half nude appearance, wearing only underwears.

A source, who did not want his name mentioned, but witnessed the incident, told Vanguard that tension started in the area when the unknown gunmen killed Shedrack.

The source alleged that some bandits had killed their victim and left the area in the morning, adding that there was panic following the development.

He disclosed that police had mobilised its men to the area to restore peace after the killing, adding that police deployment was in the Choba area when the cultists returned.

The source further claimed that the bandits on returning to the area and sighting the policemen engaged them in a gun duel, adding that shooting lasted for over two hours.

The source also alleged that the hoodlums had chased the few police officers on the ground, but quickly added that the police re-enforced and took over the territory.

It was gathered that no live was lost in the fracas, but business activities were grounded in the area.

It was, however, learned that police who returned to chase the hoodlums arrested some suspects.

Contacted, Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, declined comment on the clash.