The incident occurred on Amusu Street, the venue of a party organised by youths from Amusu/Matiminu in celebration of the festive period.

The enraged attackers then proceeded to Bubble Land Hotel on Obale Road—owned by Alhaji Adeleke Adeshina, Chief Security Adviser to the Executive Chairman of Apapa-Iganmu LCDA—and vandalised the property.

Several items, including his Highlander jeep, television sets in the hotel rooms, window glasses, and assorted beer bottles, were reportedly shattered by the brigands.

Two minibuses belonging to members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), parked in front of the hotel, were also vandalised.

Not satisfied, the berserk youths allegedly moved to Anago Hall at the Apapa-Iganmu LCDA secretariat but were repelled by security operatives. They nevertheless succeeded in pelting the newly purchased 32-seater Coaster staff bus with stones.

Trouble reportedly started at about 9.00 pm when police operatives attached to the Lagos State Police Commissioner’s Tactical Squad, 2nd Rainbow, who were on routine patrol, arrived at the scene and demanded the permit authorising the party.

The local government had banned night parties beyond 8.00 pm and notified security agencies of the directive, which prompted the presence of the officers.

In the ensuing melee, the aggrieved youths allegedly overpowered the few operatives led by DSP Amos Akpoyibo, hitting him with planks and other objects and inflicting severe injuries on him and one Inspector Johnson.

While fighting back, the officers reportedly deployed tear gas in order to escape from the scene.

Findings revealed that the chief security adviser to the council chairman was attacked on the assumption that the policemen had come to obstruct the party at his instigation.

Police operatives led by the Divisional Police Officer of Ijora Badia Division, CSP Salawudeen Kazeem, later arrived at the scene to restore calm.

However, two suspects were reportedly arrested while vandalising Bubble Land Hotel by local security operatives and handed over to the police.

In a telephone interview, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Olohundare Jimoh Moshood, denied knowledge of the incident, saying he had not yet been briefed.

He promised to inquire from the aforementioned division and squad and revert.

“I am not aware of the incident. Such information has not come on air this morning because I’ve been on the radio since. But I will call to find out and get back,” CP Olohundare said.

However, an impeccable senior police officer who preferred anonymity confirmed the incident to the correspondent.

He claimed that the boys are fond of attacking police operatives whenever they are on lawful operations in the area.

His words: “I can confirm that the incident happened, but the area is now calm. Two suspects have been arrested and handed over to Second Rainbow Tactical Squad.”

(The Sun, with headline rejigged)

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