Gun-wielding hoodlums on Tuesday unleashed terror on Daodu, Olokodana and Iya Agan streets on the Old Apapa Road in Lagos, during which they shot dead a 28-year-old bricklayer and injured other residents.

Punch Metro correspondent learnt that the bricklayer, identified simply as Wahab, who hailed from Ilorin, Kwara State, had come to the area to work and save money to pay for his ailing father's treatment.

It was gathered that the gunmen, who struck at about 8pm in the area, shot Wahab in the neck and also robbed residents and passersby of their valuables. It was also learnt that Wahab died instantly, while policemen from the Iponri division, who received a distress call, mobilised to apprehend the gunmen.

Punch Metro correspondent learnt that none of the fleeing gunmen was arrested, but the police recovered Wahab's corpse, which had been deposited in a morgue. When PUNCH Metro visited the streets on Wednesday, there was palpable tension as most houses and shops were locked. The few people sighted were not willing to talk about the attack.

A member of the vigilance group in the area, identified only as Ishola, however, told Punch Metro correspondent that the gunmen were hoodlums from Fagbayimu, led by one John Ibafo. He added that the Fagbayimu gunmen came to attack Railway Line boys, led by Dagbe Ahmed. He noted that Wahab was a victim of sporadic gunshots as he was not a member of either faction.

He said, "Wahab was not married. He lived in the Ibafo area of Ogun State, and sometimes came to Oyingbo to work. It was two days ago that he came again for some bricklaying work, and stayed with friends on Daodu Lane. "The gunmen invaded the streets yesterday (Tuesday) at about 8pm in search of rival gang members. They also used the opportunity to rob passersby and residents. They were shooting sporadically to scare people. It was in the process that Wahab was shot in the neck. He had just finished eating dinner when he was shot.

"The friends he was staying with quickly called the vigilance group and the police that one of them had been killed by the rampaging gunmen. But by the time the police arrived, the gunmen had escaped."

One of Wahab's friends, identified only as Wale, who spoke on the telephone, said Wahab's father was down with sickness in Ilorin, adding that the news of his son's death would be a bigger blow. He said, "He was working to get money to take to his ailing father for his treatment. His mother is late. The old man has been sick for several years, and it was Wahab who worked to finance his treatment. He would have travelled to his hometown today (Wednesday) had he not been killed."

PUNCH Metro learnt that the cult gangs also went on the rampage on Sallah day, and looted houses along the Railway Line, during which a policeman shot himself in the leg.

It was learnt that the officer, identified only as Ugor, who was attached to the Iponri Police Division, had been hospitalised since last Thursday.

Punch Metro correspondent gathered that about 10 persons sustained gunshot injuries and were being treated at some local health centres in the area. A source, who visited some of the injured persons, said none of them was willing to talk for fear of being traced.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joe Offor, said the police removed Wahab's corpse, noting that the injured officer was recuperating in the hospital.

He said, "The dead body was found when the police arrived at the scene. There was no exchange of fire as the hoodlums immediately fled the area.

"On the Sallah day incident, we were able to recover some ammunition abandoned by the fleeing cultists. Unfortunately, one of our men mistakenly shot himself in the leg during the operation. He is still recovering in a hospital I cannot disclose."