A fresh attack was launched on the Otodo Gbame community in the Lekki Phase 1 area of Lagos State on Tuesday.
Like the attack of Wednesday, November 9, 2016, the invaders reportedly set fire to some remaining structures in the area.
Our correspondent learnt that the hoodlums, who had some policemen as escorts, arrived in the community at about 11am.
It was gathered that the attackers brought mayhem to the community, set fire to some structures, forcing some of the residents to escape through the river.
PUNCH Metro gathered that although the policemen did not shoot at anyone, there was panic in the area.
A woman, who gave her name as Roseline Agbo, said she and others jumped into the river, thinking that the policemen would turn violent as they did during the previous attack.
She said, “The policemen led the attackers. I was one of those who ran into the water. We thought the policemen would shoot again.
“But they started burning buildings. The smoke is still billowing as I speak.”
Another resident, Joseph Donald, said he could not count the number of structures razed on Tuesday.
He said, “When we tried to find out where the policemen came from, they declined to talk. There were about 10 policemen, and they came in a patrol van.”
The state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, said on Monday that the community had been in a protracted communal clash, adding that the police were there to maintain the peace.
He said, “In the Otodo Gbame incident, there has been no demolition in the area. The police did not at any time engage in demolition or setting fire to any house. To put the facts straight, that community had been embroiled in ethnic clashes.
“The community has been in a protracted dispute which dates back to three years ago. My attention has been drawn to seven or eight instances of communal clashes in the area.
“These have led to the arrests of 64 persons who are being prosecuted for causing a breach of the peace.
“The community comprises Egun majority from the Benin Republic and some Yoruba people. The dispute is about collection of tolls and control of the shrines.
“The information we have is that one of the sides set one of the huts on fire. Virtually all the structures in the area are constructed with planks.
“I have visited the area. The police did not do anything untoward in the area. Rather, the people displaced themselves.”
