LAGOS BOILS

LAGOS—Two persons were feared dead and several others wounded, yesterday, as hoodlums invaded some streets in the Ebute-Meta area of  Lagos. The immediate cause of the invasion could not be ascertained, while some of the residents said it could not be unconnected with the lingering crisis in the area. But the police said it was a case of robbery, an assertion that corroborated the claim of some residents. The no fewer than 20 hoodlums, as gathered,stormed the area at midnight and started shooting sporadically. In the process, vehicles were reportedly vandalized. They reportedly fired from 12 midnight till2am before policemen from Iponri stormed the scene. Streets affected included  Brickfield, Moshood Abiola Road (formerly Apapa Road), Daudu Lane and  Olokodana. After the police left, the hoodlums reportedly showed up again at 8 a.m, during which one of the residents was  shot in the mouth. Another resident, a woman was reportedly bathed with hot water by the hoodlums. Shops were  also reportedly broken into and goods looted, while unsuspecting commuters were attacked. Those affected, as gathered,included those returning from a viewing centre. Commenting on the development, spokes manfor the Lagos  State Police Command, Mrs.Ngozi Braide, said six persons were arrested by the police, adding that they would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department. Meanwhile, police patrol vans, including those of the Rapid Response Squad  were sighted patrolling the area, yesterday while an Amoured Personnel Carrier was stationed atAbule-Nla, apparently to nip in the bud likely reprisal attack.