Traditional ruler killed as hoodlums attack Lagos community

A traditional ruler in Lagos, Chief Muritala Akogun, the Akogun of Abule-Ado kingdom in Amuwo Odofin local government, has died yesterday morning from deep machete cuts he was said have sustained from hoodlums, who allegedly attacked him on Monday night. A member of the kingdom’s traditional council, Prince Fasiu, was also seriously injured during the […]

A traditional ruler in Lagos, Chief Muritala Akogun, the Akogun of Abule-Ado kingdom in Amuwo Odofin local government, has died yesterday morning from deep machete cuts he was said have sustained from hoodlums, who allegedly attacked him on Monday night.

A member of the kingdom’s traditional council, Prince Fasiu, was also seriously injured during the attack.

Akogun was said to have suffered the machete cuts on his head, hands and face.

Our correspondent gathered that the deceased, who was recently installed as the Akogun of Abule Ado, was attempting to prevent some hoodlums, who invaded the community on Saturday and Monday evening, from creating further mayhem when he was attacked.

Earlier on Friday, our correspondent learnt, some of the hoodlums were alleged to have set fire on some shanties in the Abule-Ado community. It was learnt that as the fire raged, some miscreants began stealing valuables belonging to the residents.

One of the thieves was said to have been caught with a television set and angry residents descended on him, seriously beating him and collecting back the stolen set.

The thief was said to have mobilised his gang members the next day, and they invaded the community.

The crisis dragged till Monday.

The late Akogun, who was said to be at a child-christening ceremony at Shibiri, a neighbouring community, was said to have left the function for Abule-Ado when information reached him that the hoodlums were spoiling for war. He was said to have also put a call to one Akeem Lawal, said to be the coordinator of the restive youths.

Describing how Akogun was killed, an eye-witness, Afeez Olorunkemi, the Otun of Abule-Ado, said, “The incident happened while Chief Muritala was pleading with Akeem Lawal to call his boys to order. He stood in front of the Ado youths office when we sighted the hoodlums approaching.

“Since Akeem, their coordinator, had assured us that there was no cause for alarm we stayed back. Unknown to us the boys had a sinister motive. They got so close to us that it became impossible to escape. They started attacking us. When they launched their attack on us, Akeem simply walked straight to his vehicle and drove off without cautioning his boys.

“Prince Fasiu was attacked inside the toilet where he ran into for safety. Fasiu was hiding under the wash-hand basin when he was stabbed and macheted on different parts of his body. Chief Akogun and Prince Fasiu were later rushed to a private hospital. Unfortunately, Chief Akogun died in the early hours of yesterday as a result of the severe injuries he sustained, while doctors are still battling to save Fasiu”.

Eko Trust gathered that eight persons had been arrested in connection with the murder. Police sources said that the suspects had been transferred from the Trade Fair Police Division to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, could not be reached for onfirmation on the issue as his number could not be reached.