Oshodi: Tension as gang loyal to slain Hamburger spits fire

Tension and fears created at Shogunle and Ladipo areas of Oshodi, Lagos State by the murder of the Branch Chairman of the Motorcycle Riders abd Owners Association of Lagos State, an affiliate of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Aro Rasak Bello, popularly known as Hamburger, reached a crescendo at the weekend, as angry gang loyal to Hamburger protested while his remains were lowered to the grave.
It was learnt that after the burial of the late NURTW chieftain and politician, in Shogunle, the fuming ‘Area Boys’ alleged that Mc Oluomo, Koko Zaria and some other executives of the Association also want to kill them after killing their boss, Hamburger Adedigba Adepegba, known as Taloskibo, who spoke on behalf of his group said: “We were 15 members before, now we’re just six still alive – please, I don’t want to die.”
He subsequently called on the state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode and National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to intervene in the crisis rocking the area before it gets out of hand.
However, during a visit to the already tense area, it was discovered that human activities were at lull due to air of uncertainty.
The streets were deserted quite unlike the typical bustling Oshodi streets, the presence of the Police notwithstanding.
At Saka Street, Shogunle, home of Hamburger, the same was the situation as commercial activities were at a lull.
Men of the Nigerian Police Force were seen in all strategic locations around Oshodi to ensure that peace and order return to the affected areas. Despite this, people were still apprehensive.
One resident, Mr. Boniface Achebe, a father of three, said: “I have sent my children to their grandma’s place in Ibadan until everything dies down.
Whether Police or not, person wey die no dey come back again o! Yes, police can get the assailants arrested but the pikin wey die don die.”
However, Zonal Public Relations Officer (ZPRO), SP Dolapo Opeyemi Badmus said the situation is under control, saying that a number of arrests have been made by the Police, while investigations are on arreste the culprists.
She said: “Like you know, the situation is under control and we have deployed enough personnel to that area and plain clothe policemen are around, gathering intelligence. All in all, the police are on top of the matter.”
In addition, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, in a statement signed on behalf of the Lagos State Police Commissioner brushed aside reports that Mafoluku-Oshodi and environs are “boiling” as falsehood.