Police arrest gang leader, loyalists shoot two

The Lagos State Police Command has apprehended a wanted gang leader, Rasaki Oseni, aka Elewure, for murder, vandalism and theft.

This was just as thugs believed to be members of Elewure’s gang allegedly shot two people suspected to be police informants.

Police authorities told PUNCH Metro that the suspect and his deputy, identified simply as Toyin Mummy, were arrested by policemen attached to the Alade Division during an operation led by the Divisional Police Officer, SP Aminu.

It was alleged that Elewure was the leader of a gang known as EFCC boys, which is based in Somolu, while Toyin is said to have been sent to prison at least three times.

PUNCH Metro had reported in May, 2013 that Elewure and some others at large participated in the vandalisation of 100 vehicles in the Bariga, Akoka and Somolu areas of the state.

The suspect had also been fingered in the alleged murder of a pastor, Mr. Peter Sella, on September 4, 2011.

According to the Police, Elewure, who was also called, Federal, had been declared wanted shortly after the vandalisation, but had continued to evade arrest.

Other members of the gang declared wanted by the police were, Osanle, Eyin Bouncing and Talon Skibo, who have all been accused of terrorising Somolu and its environs for over four years.

During interrogation, Elewure was said to have told the police that the cause of the gang war in Somolu was an oil pipeline at the Fola Agoro Canal, where they often go to siphon petrol.

Meanwhile, residents have continued to express fear as men believed to be loyalists of Elewure shot a member of the community, Olatunde Vincent, and another man on Craig Street, Somolu, on Thursday.

It was learnt that the injured victim had been rushed to a nearby hospital and was receiving treatment.

Vincent, who spoke to our correspondent from a hospital bed, said, “On Thursday afternoon, I was in front of my house when some cultists came on a motorcycle and opened fire.”

It was learnt that after the incident, policemen attached to the Alade Division chased the cultists and arrested some of them.

Confirming the incident to our correspondent on the telephone, Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Damasus Ozoani, described Elewure as a wanted gang chief and dangerous leader who had been on the radar of the police.

Ozoani said the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba.

He said the police had envisaged reprisals by Elewure’s gang and had beefed up security in the area.

While confirming Thursday’s shooting, he said, “Around 2.30pm, some cultists attacked Vincent and his friend, Jelili on Craig Street. On getting the information, policemen combed the area and arrested one Azeez Adeshina. The case has been transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja.

“Efforts are on to apprehend other fleeing suspects.”