Police inspector, siblings killed in Lagos masquerade festival

Afeez Hanafi
A police inspector and two siblings have lost their lives during a masquerade festival at Ilagbo community, in the Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos State .
PUNCH Metro learnt that some youths of Oriyanrin , a neighbouring community, had attended the masquerade event tagged , Kilajolu festival , at Ilagbo on Saturday when a clash broke out between the two communities .
Some elders of the host community were said to have sent the youths away.
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It was gathered that the youths regrouped and laid in ambush for some Ilagbo youths who were returning from the festival , hacking one Ismaila to death .
Our correspondent learnt that Ismaila ’ s brother, identified simply as Matanle , had gone to remove the corpse of his brother at the scene , when he was also hacked to death by the Oriyanrin youths .
Angered by the deaths , Ilagbo youths reportedly went on a reprisal and attacked Oriyanrin , burning down houses , vehicles , among other valuables .
It was gathered that a team of policemen were deployed in the communities to restore normalcy , during which the inspector, whose identity had yet to be disclosed , was killed by the rampaging youths .
A resident , Moriu Made , described the incident as unfortunate , saying he escaped death by a whisker, adding that the community had been deserted .
He said , “I was ill and because of that , I could not run when the youths from Ilagbo invaded our community.
“ They burnt my house and my younger brother’ s house . Some other residents’ houses were also burnt. I don ’ t know where to start from .
“ My family members have run away; only a few persons are left in the community and I have not eaten for three days . Government should please provide adequate security for us . ”
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The Lagos State Commissioner of Police , Fatai Owoseni , who visited the warring communities on Tuesday warned the residents to desist from communal clashes .
The CP, while addressing traditional rulers and elders in the areas , said the command would be forced to take stiff actions against the communities if they failed to embrace peace.
He said , “We will make sure there is no reprisal in the community, but the traditional heads need to do something except if you are not capable .
“ The elders in this community should be ashamed of themselves . The police helped you to settle clashes, but you went ahead to kill an inspector.
“ Nothing stops you from organising a vigilance group with the police . Instead , your children go behind to kill policemen. Policemen also have families. You know the solution , but if you don ’ t want peace to reign, we will handle it with force .
“ You need to give us assurance that you are ready to defend your communities because security sta