In a heart-wrenching incident that has shaken the Otto Awori community in Lagos, tragedy struck as hoodlums unleashed a wave of violence, leaving destruction and death in their wake. The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the death of a one-year-old baby during the attack, which also left several residents injured.
According to Benjamin Hundeyin, the Police Public Relations Officer, the attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning, plunging the peaceful neighborhood into chaos. “They burnt houses, and there was a baby found in the burnt houses,” Hundeyin revealed, describing the horrific aftermath of the rampage. The assailants, armed with various weapons, terrorized the community, shooting indiscriminately and setting homes ablaze.
Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of terror as the sound of gunshots pierced the night, prompting residents to flee for their lives. “The hoodlums also set some houses in the community on fire, and that was what led to the burning of an infant,” a police source revealed, highlighting the brutality of the attack.
Amidst the devastation, the community mourns the loss of the innocent baby and grapples with the trauma inflicted upon its residents. The attackers, driven by motives yet to be fully understood, not only destroyed properties but also shattered lives.
As authorities rush to restore calm and prevent further bloodshed, questions linger about the underlying causes of the violence. Some residents attribute the attack to a longstanding leadership dispute, suggesting tensions that have simmered beneath the surface for years.
Prince Musibau Asafa, the Executive Chairman of Oto-Awori LCDA, was unavailable for comment, leaving the community anxiously awaiting answers and justice for the victims. As investigations unfold, the hope remains that those responsible for this senseless act of violence will be brought to account, and measures will be taken to prevent such tragedies from recurring.