20 arrested as hoodlums set another police van on fire

Armed hoodlums yesterday set another police patrol van on fire at Ajegunle area of Lagos. This is the second in a roll of such incident. Conmercial motorcycle operators set ablaze a police patrol van at Ikorodu area of the state. Meanwhile, about 20 persons said to have been involved in the burning of the patrol […]

Armed hoodlums yesterday set another police patrol van on fire at Ajegunle area of Lagos.

This is the second in a roll of such incident. Conmercial motorcycle operators set ablaze a police patrol van at Ikorodu area of the state.

Meanwhile, about 20 persons said to have been involved in the burning of the patrol van belonging to Layeni Police Station have since been arrested.

Those arrested are being detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti Street, Yaba.

Yesterday’s incident started with a violent crisis between rival gangs in the area.

It was learnt that some youths from Olumokun community in Amukoko area of Ajegunle, had allegedly engaged the youths of Olayinka street, Ajegunle, in a free for all fight on the streets of the community.

It was also gathered that weapons were freely used by the hoodlums during the clash and that in the melee, policemen from Ajeromi Police station, Ajegunle, quickly intervened but under a strict warning from the Commissioner of Police, CP Edgal Imohimi, not to use their firearms.

Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Chike Oti  who confirmed the incident however, said the youths of Olumokun community, Amukoko while retreating, stumbled on a police patrol car parked under the bridge at Layeni and set it ablaze.

He said that to avoid reprisals, the Commissioner of Police directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations to engage the traditional heads (Bale) of the various communities in Ajegunle in dialogue to ensure that peace in the area is no longer breached by hoodlums masquerading as youths.