Lagos CP leads operation to reopen Badagry Expressway after Otto-Ijanikin crisis
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Olohundare Jimoh, led a joint team of operatives and tactical squads to restore order at the Otto-Ijanikin axis of the Badagry Expressway following a
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Olohundare Jimoh, led a joint team of operatives and tactical squads to restore order at the Otto-Ijanikin axis of the Badagry Expressway following a communal clash between youths of Ijanikin and Otto, the command said yesterday.
The expressway, which was blocked for several hours during the clash, reopened to traffic at about 9 am, with normalcy restored to the affected communities.
Police said one person, identified as Akinyemi Omo Akin, was allegedly shot during the violence and later died in the hospital. The CP has ordered an investigation to be led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba.
The command dismissed claims that the deceased was killed by a stray police bullet, stating that officers were alerted that rival groups had engaged cultists who were involved in a gun duel before police arrived at the scene.
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The victim was believed to have been shot during the exchange.
Seven suspects from both sides have been arrested in connection with the clash and are in custody. Police said the suspects made voluntary statements on their roles in the incident, adding that a locally made pistol and two live cartridges were recovered from one of the suspects.
"Tactical squads and anti-riot personnel have been deployed to the area and surrounding bushes to track down other fleeing suspects," said the police command.
It warned individuals and sponsors of violence that it would not tolerate any breach of peace in the state, adding that those arrested would face the law.
Residents were encouraged to go about their lawful activities and report suspicious movements to the command's emergency lines.
