Mass exodus hits Lagos community over communal crisis

Many residents have fled their homes as the ongoing feud between Ajah and Ilaje residents over the collection of levies from Keke Napep operators takes a new turn.

Several buildings, including business places have been razed in the clash that broke out on Monday in the community.

A resident who gave his name as Seyi Olatuda said that her mother’s house was set ablaze in the ensuing rivalry

He said: “Since the problem between Ilaje and Ajah indigenes started on Monday, some of the Iljae residents abandoned their homes. I wasn’t at home at the time and advised my mother to move out of her house for a while at least until peace had returned to the area.

He further disclosed that “On Thursday morning, I accompanied my mother to her house; she wanted to pick up a few things. This was between 8 am and 9 am. To our surprise when we got to Ilaje, there were many youths from Ajah already there. They were armed with guns and had kegs of fuel. They started attacking Ilaje residents and although the youths tried to fight back, there was little they could really do because they did not have guns.

“These boys were just moving from house to house, dousing them with fuel before setting them ablaze. They didn’t just set the houses ablaze; they would wait behind and make sure the house got burnt completely before leaving. Over eight houses were burned that morning on White House Road and Ilaje Road,” Olatuda said.

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