Hoodlums block access road, torture landlord for complaining

 
 The police in Lagos State have launched a manhunt for a suspect, identified only as Olaiya, who allegedly led about 25 hoodlums to torture a landlord in the Makoko, Yaba area of the state. Olaiya and the hoodlums went to Rafiu Street last Wednesday to construct a fence on a portion of the road and the landlord, Rafiu Ogundele, reported to the police that the construction was illegal.
 

    Eyewitnesses told punch that Olaiya and the hoodlums invaded the street on the following day around 11am and tortured Ogundele for reporting him at the police station. The landlord’s phones, money and jewellery were also said to have been carted away.It was gathered that the landlord was brutalised by Olaiya, because he had gone to report the matter to the police at the Adekunle division.


    The hoodlums caused panic in the area, as they harassed residents, saying that they had sold the road linking the street and the fence would be built. Olaiya, an ex-convict, fled the area after Ogundele was injured.
    The landlord is said to be receiving treatment in a private hospital in the area.
  
    When Punch visited Ogundele on Tuesday, a younger brother, identified only as Oladimeji, said the hoodlums smashed his brother’s skull and also damaged one of his eyes.He said, “Our street is directly behind the Celestial Church of Christ headquarters, Makoko. Olaiya brought the blocks for the fence on Tuesday. He said he had sold the road serving the residents of the street, and my brother said that was not possible.
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    . “When Olaiya did not listen, my brother and I went to report to the police at the Adekunle division on Wednesday. I am surprised that on Thursday, around 11am, the man brought hoodlums to my brother’s apartment and beat him up.
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    . “The area boys were armed with cutlasses and bottles. My brother’s offence was that he told Olaiya not to sell the access road and construct a fence on it. “They smashed his skull and stole his phones, wallet and jewellery. He is still in the hospital. The torture was also reported at the Adekunle division. Olaiya and his hoodlums have fled the area since the day of the incident