Imported User:
Shops in the Dosunmu area of the Lagos Island on Monday remained locked following a clash between two rival groups of area boys.
The clash started on Sunday and left three people dead, according to some eyewitnesses, who included a resident and a shop owner.
However, more than 30 vehicles were destroyed during the clash, with four cars razed and photo laboratory on Isalegangan Street burnt down.
A building housing a branch of the Ecobank in the area also had its windows shattered.
The Chief Executive Officer of New Star Photo Laboratory, Alhaji Hameed Morankinyo, said he got a call in the early hours of Monday and informed that the laboratory had been set ablaze.
“The first call I received this morning was that my office on the island was on fire and I had to rush to the scene and behold the story was true.
“I am not a politician but a professional. I borrowed the money for this business from the bank and I am still re-paying the loan,” Morankinyo said.
He urged the Lagos State Government to quickly intervene before more harm was done.
Morankinyo recounted his losses, saying that he could not value it all by himself.
He explained that his estate valuer, insurer and bankers had all come to the scene, to see things for themselves.
Morankinyo added that his colour laboratory would, however, remain closed for the next two weeks, to enable the facility to be rehabilitated.
“It is unfortunate that I will be losing many customers, in addition to spending a lot of money to restore the facility,’’ he said.
An ATM machine belonging to Skye Bank, which was installed in the building housing the photo laboratory was allegedly destroyed beforeit was set ablaze in the early hours of Monday.
Two traders, Alhaji Tajudeen Aremu and Mr Sikiru Animashaun, said that the clash started in the early hours of Sunday.
The traders, however, said that with the intervention of the police, the Lagos State Task Force on Markets and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) calm had returned to the area.
The DPO in charge of Ebute-Ero Police Station declined to comment on the situation.
The Lagos State Police Command’s spokesman, SP Jaiyeoba Joseph, said that he could not immediately confirm if there was any casualty, but he, however, said that some vehicles were vandalised and several persons had gunshot wounds.
He added that no arrests had been made, but said that security had been beefed up in the area.
Efforts to speak with the DPO, Adeniji Adele Police Station, SP Abdulsalam Alade, who was seen inspecting the damage at Isalegangan area proved abortive.
He was surrounded by a crowd which did not allow any interaction with him.
It was also learnt that the renewed attack by the Isale Eko boys was as a result of the casualties they allegedly suffered at the beginning of the clash about a month ago.
Meanwhile, police armoured tanks were stationed at Itafaji, Idumagbo Avenue and Tom Jones area of the Island, manned by anti-riot policemen, while other security personnel were on a regular patrol.
Business activities in the affected areas were at a standstill, as traders from outside the Island returned home, while parents rushed to pick their children from schools.
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