The Lagos State Police Command has verified the tragic death of a one-year-old infant during an assault in Egan Oriomi, located in the Otto Awori Local Council Development Area of Ojo, Lagos State. Benjamin Hundeyin, the state Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed on Sunday that several residents of the community were also injured to varying degrees during the attack.
In an interview with our correspondent, Hundeyin stated, “There was an assault on the community on Saturday morning. Houses were set ablaze, and amidst the burnt structures, a baby was discovered. Upon police arrival, burnt houses and looted shops were evident, and some community members had sustained gunshot wounds.”
Reports indicate that hoodlums invaded the community on Friday night, indiscriminately firing weapons.
A police source, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the sound of gunfire prompted residents to flee for safety. The source explained, “Hoodlums armed with various weapons stormed the community on Friday night, shooting and forcibly entering homes. They inflicted injuries on anyone in sight, with about 10 people already shot by midnight. Some houses were set on fire during the rampage, leading to the tragic death of an infant trapped in one of the burning structures.”
The source added that apart from setting buildings ablaze, the attackers also caused extensive property damage.
Security personnel have been deployed to the scene to prevent further violence. Some injured victims, including an elderly man, have been hospitalized, while those with minor injuries have been discharged.
A community resident, speaking anonymously, attributed the attack to a leadership dispute that had persisted for over eight years. According to the source, residents opposed a new traditional ruler who was not native to the community and advocated for leadership under a monarch with roots in the area.
Hundeyin acknowledged the existence of a leadership dispute but emphasized that the police were treating it as a civil matter. He stated, “There has been a longstanding leadership dispute in the community, but we are not directly linking it to the recent incident. Our priority is to maintain peace and order, and an investigation is underway to ascertain the cause.”
Efforts to reach the Executive Chairman of Oto-Awori LCDA, Prince Musibau Asafa, for comment were unsuccessful as he was reportedly attending a church service.
