By Evelyn Usman

LAGOS—Hoodlums, in the early hours of yesterday, engaged Operatives of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Task Force in a shootout in Iddo area of Lagos, during the demolition of their hideout.

It was learned that the operatives stormed the dreaded area at about 2a.m., to carry out the demolition exercise. The hoodlums were said to have used petrol bomb on one of the policemen identified as Corporal Friday Adama.

Two persons, a Police Corporal and a para-military staff of the agency, were reportedly shot in the process, while a man with an unknown identity was said to have been killed by a truck during the ensuing stampede.

A total of 155 miscreants were also arrested, while two locally-made pistols, one English pump action gun and seven rounds of ammunition were recovered. Also impounded during the demolition exercise were 150 motorcycles.

Vanguard gathered that the invasion and subsequent demolition of make shift buildings constructed under Iddo Bridge, inward Idumota waterside, followed series of complaints over crimes allegedly committed by miscreants inhabiting the buildings.

Vanguard gathered that an earlier attempt by the operative to demolish the shanties was resisted by the miscreants.

Public Affairs Officer, Lagos State Task Force, said: “Those miscreants not only rob under Iddo Bridge, but smoke Indian hemp and rape.”

The Lagos State Command Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmus, a Superintendent of Police, said the driver of the truck was arrested, adding that those injured were recuperating in the hospital.