Policemen providing security for popular fuji musician, Sefiu Alao, have clashed with thugs who attacked the musician for refusing to give them money at Ifo, Ogun State, resulting in the death of two persons.
The clash was said to have occurred during the conferment of chieftaincy titles on some residents of the town, in an event which took place at Okepata.
Trouble started when the hoodlums stormed the venue where 26 people were conferred with chieftaincy titles by the Baale of Ososun land, Arogunyo Lonlo.
The hoodlums went straight to Alao and demanded to be ‘settled’ before they can allow him to continue playing. Efforts to placate the hoodlums proved abortive as they insisted that they must be settled before he could continue.
Violence erupted when aides of the fuji musician tried to dislodge the hoodlums. In the confusion that followed, policemen invited to provide security engaged the hoodlums in a shootout during which two persons were hit by stray bullets. One of them, a lady died on the spot while another died in the hospital Tuesday where he was rushed.
One of the victims of the shootout was Mariam Okikiade, who before her death was said to be working at her brother’s sachet water factory in the town.
The deceased’s elder brother, Murtala Okikiade, said it was sad that his sister could not be rescued by those present at the scene.
“I was very sad when I heard that Mariam was shot at the party. I left her at the party and went for an assignment only for me to return and learnt of her death. Frankly, I don’t know what to do now.
“The most annoying part of it is that the people at the scene did not attempt to rescue her as they were all trying to avoid police arrest.Without any apology, I feel disappointed that the chiefs could not rescue my sister,” Okikiade fumed.
Baale of Ososun, Chief Arogunyo Lonlo lamented the incident, describing it as a stain on his personality.
