BY EVELYN USMAN

The dust on the recent stampede caused by hoodlums who invaded Onifade street in the densely populated Mushin area of Lagos, two weeks ago, seem to have settled as residents tend to be coming out of the shock.

But to 51 year-old Kuburat Obidare, the incident would forever remain indelible in her memory as it left in its wake, the death of her daughter, Fatimoh Abiola.

The deceased who was in her early thirties was hit in the chest by a stray bullet right in front of her compound, thereby sending her to an unprepared grave before she was rushed to the hospital.

Perhaps, if Fatimoh, who left behind her six-month-old child had obeyed her instinct, she may not be lying six feet below the earth today. The hairdresser, as gathered, woke up with an unusual feeling that fateful day, with a decision not to go to her shop, even when customers called.

But like a lamb being led to the slaughter slab, she picked her calls at noon, only for a desperate customer to inform she was coming over to her house to make her hair. Reluctantly, she agreed, without the slightest inkling that her singular nod of approval was an invitation to her grave.

Report said she finished the customer’s hair at night and just as she was about entering the veranda, the unexpected happened, as she fell down and before anyone could fathom what the matter was, she gave up the ghost.

Late Fatimoh Abiola

Just about same time, there was reportedly gunshots in the street, with everyone taking to his heels. Not long, it was discovered that some hoodlums whose identities are yet to be ascertained till date invaded the area, to rain terror on a rival faction.

Her mother who all the while was with Fatimo’s baby was alerted by the alarm raised by the residents. Unsure of what the problem was, Mama, as she is fondly called, rushed out only to behold the unimaginable sight of her daughter in the pool of her blood.

Ah! Fatimo”, she exclaimed. “ Is this the result of the promise you gave me to be back? You told me to hold on to your child while you attend to your customer outside and I did… “ singing her daughter’s praise in Yoruba dialect, she continued, “ Please wake up and come and attend to your baby who is crying. I have no milk in my breast to feed him. Please wake up my precious daughter”, she cried, shaking Fatimo and expecting her to respond. But that was not to be.

Residents who at that time had gathered, rushed Fatimo to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba,where she was confirmed dead.

A resident who simply gave his name as Mr Tijani narrated how he had a close shave with death that fateful day. Said he, “ I was just returning from work that night and had alighted from a motorcycle when a commercial bus sped into the street shooting at random. Thinking they were robbers, I jumped into the gutter to take cover. I remained there until they finished shooting and zoomed off the same way they came.

It was not until the dust had settled that we heard someone was felled by a stray bullet. We really do not know who they are. But we learn t It has to do with the lingering power tussle between factions of area boys. But why take the life of an innocent person?

Fatimo, according to a neighbor who pleaded anonymity, “ had premonition of her death. But she just could not fathom it. It was so surprising to find her at home that morning and when I asked, she told me she did not know how she was feeling. I never knew death had her on its roll call. My pity is on the baby she left behind. What an unfortunate incident.

The Police, on their part, said they had begun a manhunt for Fatimo’s assailants. A reliable source told Crime Alert that a crack team of anti-robbery squad have been directed to fish out perpetrators of the act assuring that they must be rounded up in no distant time.