Six dies in reprisal attack as gangster rivalry deepens in Lagos

At least six youths have been killed in the ongoing reprisal attacks by notorious leader of rival cult groups in Lagos Island.

The rival groups known as Okepopo boys and Onola boys are said to have engaged in the deadly dispute for days.

Our correspondent relaibly gathered that leader of the Okepopo group, one Abdul – Rasaq Kareem (aka Falapa) has allegedly killed six youths from his rival group.

Falapa is said to be using a sophisticated ‘English Gun’, superior to the dane gun carried by the others group from Onola.

His victims are said to included, Irabor, Mustapha and four others whose name were not known as at the time of writing this report.

Eye witness revealed that Falapa had vowed after the last clash with Onola boys early this year, where three of his gang members from Okepopo were lynched to death by Onola boys that, he will surely take revenge whether the matter was settled or not.

“To make his plan successful, he bought the new gun and had been looking for opportunity to execute his mission which he succeeded during 155 year celebration of Epetedo existence where a local musician was performing at the area. Falapa and his gang pursued Onola boys who left the area at about 3.30am and attacked them along Tokunbo Street where two persons died”, Source revealed.

“Also, on Friday night, one Irabor among the Onola youths was also shot dead by Falapa at Atiko area on the Island, Mustapha (Son of late Suraju omo Iya Sari) was also shot dead by same Falapa on Sunday afternoon along Branco Street and two others were shot dead at Okepopo area when the Onola boys went to make a reprisal attack on Monday morning”, he said.

The incessant killing has led to the closure of many shops and markets at Itafaji, Evans, Branco, Olushi, Atiko, Onola, Okepopo, Massey Apatira, Smith and other adjacent Streets on the Island.

Residents were seen packing out in some of the areas mentioned to nearby relatives so as not to be victim of Falapa terrorism acts.

Meanwhile, the Police from the Area ‘A’ command, Lion Building have in the early hour of Monday raided an undisclosed hotel where some members of Falapa gangs always hid after operations and two of Falapa lieutenants named as ‘Semo and Segun Playboy were arrested among other suspects in Police detention now.

The visit of the AIG Zone Two command Onikan, Lagos to Lion Building Area’A’ command on Monday morning may not be connected with the success of Police in apprehending Falapa gang members during the raid.

Joy Anyim