In a devastating event that unfolded over the weekend, a one-year-old baby lost its life during a violent attack on the Egan Oriomi community in the Otto Awori Local Council Development Area of Ojo, Lagos State.
The incident, which occurred on Friday night, also left several residents injured and substantial property damage.
Benjamin Hundeyin, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the attack to PUNCH Metro. According to Hundeyin, the assault on the community involved multiple acts of violence, including shootings and arson. “When the police arrived on the scene, we encountered burnt houses and looted shops. The community members sustained injuries from gunshots, and tragically, a baby was found deceased in one of the charred homes,” Hundeyin explained.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers, armed with various weapons, invaded the community, firing shots indiscriminately and breaking into homes. The violent spree continued until midnight, resulting in about ten people being shot.
“The attackers set fire to residences, leading to the horrific death of an infant. The child’s mother, caught in the blaze, managed to escape with one of her children but tragically could not save the baby,” a police source disclosed, preferring anonymity.
The onslaught led to widespread destruction, with several buildings burned and properties destroyed. Security forces have since been deployed to the area to prevent further violence and maintain order.
The underlying cause of the attack appears to stem from a longstanding leadership dispute within the community. “There has been a contentious leadership struggle over the traditional ruler position, which has been unresolved for over eight years.
The community has opposed the appointment of a leader who is not a local indigene,” a resident explained, requesting anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the issue.
While the police are treating the leadership conflict as a civil matter, they are committed to ensuring peace and order. “Our focus is on maintaining stability in the area, though we are not directly linking the recent attack to the ongoing leadership tussle. An in-depth investigation is underway to ascertain the exact motives behind this tragic incident,” Hundeyin added.
The local government chairperson was unavailable for comment, and further attempts to reach him for a statement have remained unanswered.
The community is now grappling with the aftermath of this tragedy, as the police continue their investigation and maintain a presence in the area to safeguard against further unrest.
