Pandemonium broke out in the V -Niger, Abule – Ado area of Satellite Town, Lagos State , on Wednesday when suspected hoodlums and members of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers clashed .
It was learnt that the Oba of Oguntedo village , Lateef Olarinde, allegedly mobilised the hoodlums to sack the NUPENG members from their base in the area in order to start collecting levies .
PUNCH Metro gathered that annoyed by the development, the union members , who viewed the development as an attempt to extort them , resisted the hoodlums and a free – for – all followed .
During the clash , which occurred around 4 am , it was learnt that the hoodlums took advantage of the situation to rob residents of their valuables and also broke into shops and looted them .
Many residents were said to have abandoned their homes and fled the area .
An eyewitness , Seyi Abejoye , alleged , “Oba Olarinde mobilised a lot of hoodlums around 4 am and they invaded the V -Niger area in Abule – Ado to take over the base of the NUPENG members . He plans to sack them from there so that he can start collecting levies from their members . But the union members resisted him and this led to a clash .
“Five people were injured , but when the police came , they gave the hoodlums a hot chase and Olarinde escaped. ”
To prevent a reprisal and restore the confidence of the residents , PUNCH Metro learnt that policemen had been patrolling the area .
