Gang members shoot policeman while gunning for rivals linked to NURTW leaders

Cultists linked to rival factions connected with leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) opened fire on police during a confrontation in the Mafoluku area of Oshodi, Lagos, according to local reports. The incident, which took place around 10:45 p.m. on Mabolaje Street, resulted in a gun battle between the suspects and officers on routine patrol. A 45-year-old man named Tosin Agbeyangi, a caterer arrested following the clash, described the encounter, stating that he and others were unaware of the presence of police in the area at the time. Agbeyangi recounted that his group had set out to confront rival gang members they accused of killing one of their associates, referred to only as Samuel, approximately four days prior. The group, consisting of about five or six individuals, included members from both Mushin and Oshodi. According to Agbeyangi, the group intended to carry out a symbolic act, firing into the air, to assert dominance over their rivals. However, the plan turned violent when gunfire erupted, resulting in Agbeyangi sustaining a gunshot wound to the leg. The confrontation unfolded near the residence of Koko Zaria, a prominent figure within the NURTW. Agbeyangi denied that his group had been sent by anyone to target Zaria's home, emphasizing that they merely supported the faction rather than being affiliated with the union itself. He described the community in Oshodi as being split into two main factions: the “Oluomo Nation” and the “Koko Zaria Nation.” These groups, he claimed, have been engaged in ongoing conflict, with members from specific neighborhoods aligning themselves with either side. Investigations suggest the attack was not impulsive. Police sources indicated that Agbeyangi had led about six suspected cult members to the location under the guise of a planned retaliation against their rivals. Unbeknownst to the suspects, officers had arrived at the site after detecting unusual activity. As the suspects opened fire toward where they believed their adversaries were gathered, the police responded with gunfire, prompting the suspects to flee in separate directions. Following the skirmish, the Divisional Police Officer in the area deployed additional personnel to search for the fleeing individuals. Officers noted bloodstains near the scene, which ultimately led them to a nearby canal where Agbeyangi was discovered hiding, wounded. During the operation, authorities recovered a locally manufactured pistol with one live cartridge and a Browning pistol magazine containing five rounds of live ammunition from him. Lagos State Police Command spokesperson SP Abimbola Adebisi confirmed Agbeyangi’s arrest and stated that further investigations are underway to identify and apprehend other members of the group. She issued a warning to criminal elements in the state, urging them to refrain from actions that could endanger public safety, emphasizing that such behavior would result in legal consequences. The incident highlights the complex dynamics within Oshodi, where rival gangs appear to be deeply entrenched in their affiliations with influential figures. While the exact motivations behind the attack remain unclear, the involvement of groups associated with NURTW leaders underscores the broader challenges posed by organized crime in urban areas. As authorities continue their efforts to dismantle these networks, the case serves as another example of the volatile tensions that persist in parts of Lagos.