APC Congress: Police Hold 11 for Murder, Political Violence in Lagos

Segun Atanda/

Eleven suspects, accused of political violence and murder, have been held by the police in Lagos.

According to the police, three of the suspects were arrested in connection with the murder of a man during the All Progressives Congress’s (APC) Local Government congress at Central Community Primary School, at Oniwaya, in Agege area of Lagos on May 12.

Lagos State commissioner of police (CP), Imohimi Edgal, said, “The Election was allegedly held with factions, which led to a protest. Consequently, some disgruntled ward members protested their non-inclusion in the electoral process. However, during the ensuing pandemonium, gunshots were heard from a distance. When the noise died down, one Nurudeen Lanlese, aged 40 years, was found in a pool of blood. One Bosun Adigun, Sabitu Kamorudeen and Semiu Ogunbono who were suspects in the murder were arrested and will be charged to court after investigation.”

The police also arrested five persons in the state over allegation of possession of illegal firearms during the APC Congress at Abati and Shasha areas of the state.

Edgal said, “The police commenced stop and search at the gate of Igando Primary School for the ward congress election. Some boys carrying a bag were stopped. The bag was searched and a locally made pistol was recovered from one Akowonjo Damilare; two cartridges were recovered from one Kazeem Onilosi and 16 cartridges from Odumewu Oluwatobiloba.

“In a similar vein, at Abati Primary School, one Alade Fatai, Sheu Hassan, and Tunde Adeboye were arrested with two axes and one cutlass during the APC Ward Congress election. Suspects will be charged to court accordingly.”

One of the suspects, Akonwonjo, said. “I did not carry any gun. I was dressed as a masquerade because I am from a masquerade family. Somebody gave me a bag to hold but I did not know that the bag contained gun.”

The other suspects said they carried axes to defend themselves from attack.

One of them, Seun, said: “I got the axes for protection. I had to; since policemen have shown that they cannot protect us during election.”

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