The incident which occurred around 10pm on Tuesday at Arumo Street, caused panic among residents as buildings were torched by the rampaging youth.
Olanrewaju, a labourer at Wharf was said to have gone out to buy something to eat when stray bullet from the OPC group hit him on his chest, killing him instantly.
Trouble was said to have started after the vigilantes refused to give the youths their share of money collected from a land developer.
It was gathered that an OPC leader in the area identified as Ezekiel collected money from a man who wanted to develop his land in the area, without settling other groups who went to the man for their share.
But their demand was swiftly turned down by the developer who disclosed that he has given huge sum of money to the said Ezekiel for settlement of the ‘boys’, prompting the hoodlums to engage the vigilantes in a duel.
The Nation gathered that the fight lasted over two hours, with residents scampering for safety for fear of being hit by stray bullets.
It was learnt that some of the residents of Ezie lane, Ezie Street, Ugbonwankwo and adjoining streets took cover inside their homes as sporadic gunshots were fired by each faction.
They were also said to have thrown bottles and other dangerous weapons without caution.
It was gathered that one of the injured persons was an OPC member who works in a neighbouring street, while one of the two persons arrested by the police allegedly sustained amput injury.
At the time The Nation visited the street, anti-riot and Rapid Response Squad (RRS) policemen on virtually all the streets in the neighbourhood, with pockets of angry, grumbling youths around the Ezie lane junction.
The huge police presence, residents said, should be sustained for at least a week to prevent a reoccurrence.
According to a resident who refused to be named, the policemen who first responded to the distress call were stoned by the hoodlums who torched the OPC office and a nearby kiosk, before reinforcement was sent from the police command and RRS.
Another witness, Patricia Udofia told The Nation that it was not the first time hoodlums and vigilantes would clash in the neighbourhood.
She said they usually attacked themselves, adding that the hoodlums always harass people for people.
“It is not the first time. They are always having issues. But it has been long they fought last. I do not really know what happened but we heard it is about money that the vigilantes refused to share.
“We heard money was given to Ezekiel but he did not give the other group their share. The two groups were attacking themselves with guns and other weapons.
“Some people said Ezekiel’s group killed one person belonging to the opposing camo, while others said the person killed was just an innocent boy,” she said.
At the deceased’s house, The Nation gathered that he was a labourer at Wharf and that he was buried on Monday morning in accordance to Islamic rites.
Confirming the incident, the state command’s spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police (SP) said two suspects were arrested.
She said: “Yes, there was a fight between area boys and Vigilante group members at Arumo Street in Ajegunle over ‘Omo onile’ money. The Commander of the Vigilante group allegedly collected the money and refused to share with the area boys.
“As a result, the hoodlums attacked the vigilantes and set their office, as well as a nearby kiosk ablaze. In the process, the vigilantes shot and killed one person.
“The police went to the scene and restored calm. Two persons were arrested, while two live and four expended cartridges were recovered. The case is under investigation.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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