You would think that the police in Lagos would have a handle on the situation in Oshodi, but that's not the case. In fact, a recent gun battle between cultists and police in the area shows just how tough the situation is.

A caterer named Tosin Agbeyangi, 45, was one of the suspected cultists who was arrested after the incident. He claimed that he and his group went to confront rival gang members they blamed for the killing of one of their associates four days earlier. Agbeyangi said they were coming from a birthday party when they decided to go and check their rival gang members from Araromi Orile, who usually stayed in front of Koko Zaria's house.

There are two dominant factions operating in Oshodi, according to Agbeyangi. One group is identified with what members call the 'Oluomo Nation,' while the other is aligned with the 'Koko Zaria Nation.' Agbeyangi said that in Oshodi now, there are two factions: those from Orile Oshodi around Mabolaje belong to Koko Zaria Nation, while boys from Mafoluku, Ewu and Eniyanlonbinu belong to Oluomo Nation.

They have been fighting each other, and it's not uncommon for these rival factions to clash. But on this particular night, their fight led to a gun battle with police. The incident occurred at about 10:45 p.m. on Mabolaje Street, Mafoluku. The police were on routine patrol when they noticed unusual movement and decided to stop. However, the suspected cultists opened fire, and the police immediately returned fire.

The Divisional Police Officer in the area mobilized reinforcement, while officers combed the neighborhood for the fleeing suspects. According to the police source, officers noticed blood stains leading away from the scene. The trail eventually led them to a nearby canal, where Agbeyangi, nursing a gunshot wound to his leg, was allegedly found hiding. Police said they recovered a locally made pistol with one live cartridge and a Browning pistol magazine containing five rounds of live ammunition from him.

The Lagos State Police Command's spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said that the suspect is in custody while investigations continue to identify and arrest other members of the fleeing gang. She warned criminal elements across the state to desist from acts capable of threatening public peace or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

The incident has brought to light the deep-seated rivalry between the factions in Oshodi. It remains to be seen how the police will handle the situation and whether they can bring an end to the violence.

'We were coming from a birthday party and decided to go and check our rival gang members from Araromi Orile, who usually stayed in front of Koko Zaria's house. We wanted to attack them because they killed one of us, Samuel, a few days earlier.'

  • Key Facts:
  • The incident occurred at about 10:45 p.m. on Mabolaje Street, Mafoluku.
  • The police were on routine patrol when they noticed unusual movement and decided to stop.
  • The suspected cultists opened fire, and the police immediately returned fire.
  • The Divisional Police Officer in the area mobilized reinforcement, while officers combed the neighborhood for the fleeing suspects.
  • The police recovered a locally made pistol with one live cartridge and a Browning pistol magazine containing five rounds of live ammunition from Agbeyangi.

Oshodi Rival Factions

The incident highlights the deep-seated rivalry between the factions in Oshodi. According to Agbeyangi, there are two dominant factions operating in Oshodi. One group is identified with what members call the 'Oluomo Nation,' while the other is aligned with the 'Koko Zaria Nation.'

Police Vow Crackdown

The Lagos State Police Command's spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said that the suspect is in custody while investigations continue to identify and arrest other members of the fleeing gang. She warned criminal elements across the state to desist from acts capable of threatening public peace or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

The rivalry between the factions in Oshodi is not new. In fact, it has been ongoing for years. The transport union leaders, who are aligned with the rival factions, have been accused of fueling the rivalry. However, the police have failed to bring an end to the violence, and it remains to be seen how they will handle the situation.