Xenophobic attack: One killed, several injured as police, protesters clash in reprisal attack in Lagos
Joy Anyim
A protester has been feared killed and several others injured, when policemen and anti-xenophobic protesters clashed at Shoprite, Jakande at Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos State, on Tuesday.
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Although the identity of the killed protester, a male, was yet-to-be ascertained as at the time of filing this report, he was said to have been hit by a stray bullet, while several others had also sustained various degree of injuries.
Eyewitness account had it that the protesters numbering about 50, had stormed the Shoprite outlet at 3:00 p.m., but were refused entrance into the retails store by security officials.
The management had also alerted the Police, who sent in a team If policemen to disperse the protesters.
While the police ordered the crowd, who were holding sticks and placards to leave the premises, they had insisted on entering the retail store, a move the police saw as a security threat.
Using teargass the police succeeded in dispersing the crowd. They, however, re-converged outside Shoprite, throwing stones at the policemen and burning tyres on the expressway.
This act disrupted traffic on the expressway, and some motorist who tried to enter the Shoprite premises were attacked .
The Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Elkana Bala, who gave details about the incident said: “ The said protesters were hoodlum, their plan was to gain entry into Shoprite, attack and loot the store while hiding inder the guise of a reprisal attack.
“The police responded promptly and stopped them. Out of anger, they started burning tires along the road and throwing stones and other things at the policemen. The fact is that if the police allow them into Shoprite, who is working there? who will they attack? it is still Nigerians.”
On the number of persons killed and injured in the said clash, Bala said he could not give a figure as it was an ongoing operation.
He, however, maintained that the Shoprite store at Jakande is safe while advising those plying the Lekki -Epe Expressway to take alternative routes.
A police source at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad also told the correspondent that policemen have been drafted to other branches of Shoprite in the state to avert any break down of law and order.
Emerging report also has it that some protesters in Uyo, the Akwa -Ibom state capital had attacked an MTN office.
