EIGHT MONTHS PREGNANT WOMAN AND DAUGHTER KILLED BY GUNMEN IN MUSHIN

By Akpabio Aniema

An eight months old pregnant woman, Mrs Musiliu Bello, and her twelve years old daughter, Suliat Olowu, were killed by some gunmen who stormed Amodu Street, off Akala Street, Mushin, Lagos on Monday night. It was learnt that a commercial motorcycle rider known as Baba Monday, was also shot to death in the operation which was said to have lasted for over 20 minutes. It was learnt that some of houses in the street were perforated with bullets while some vehicles were vandalised.

The dead woman’s father, Tajudeen Odusanwo said that his daughter was shot in the stomach and in the face and his granddaughter in the head. According to him, ‘‘Between 9.30 and 10pm, my daughter and granddaughter were getting ready to close the shop when some armed thugs from the railway line stormed the street and started shooting sporadically.’’ ‘‘They shot my granddaughter in the head while my daughter, who was eight months pregnant was shot in the stomach and in the face.’’  Musiliu, even though pregnant had been on prayer and fasting after been warned of an evil event that might take place.’’we learnt that the third victim’s corpse has been taken to the mortuary by family members.

An eyewitness who doesn’t want his name mentioned, said the attackers came from Fadeyi and Ereko streets. He said many of the culprits have been arrested and charged to court last year for murder but were released by the police under controversial circumstances. According to him, ‘‘The guys that invaded our streets were Oriyomi, aka Muda; Lanre Pumping, Mufu Magnet, Sars, Apdul, Monsuru 50 cent and Aglar,’’ he said. It was learnt that Oriyomi and Lanre Pumping had been declared wanted by the Lagos State Police Command while Aglar had been arrested by the Alakara Police Division.

Policemen from the Anti-Terrorism Squad, Alakara Division and the Area D Command were on patrol on the streets of Alhaiji Lasisi and Akala. The Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, who confirmed the incident, said the police authorities in the state would focus more on the area, with the intention of removing criminals and criminalities there. She added, ‘‘For now, we have arrested five suspects in connection with the incident. More will still be done to fish out the culprits.’’

The police officers commiserated with the families of the victims have promised to beef up security in Mushin. Residents of the area, implore the police to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.