…residents expressed concern that when Armed men invade Ojo, the operation lasted for several minutes without police intervention.
LAGOS, Nigeria — The iNews Times | Panic erupted in the Ojo area of Lagos State on Friday after Armed men invade Ojo, unleashing violence along the busy LASU Road corridor, looting shops and forcing residents and traders to flee for safety.
The frightening development occurred at about 11 a.m., affecting the Iyana School and First Gate axis, two densely populated commercial areas known for heavy pedestrian and vehicular movement. Witnesses said the attackers operated openly in broad daylight, disrupting business activities and causing widespread fear.
Eyewitnesses told The iNews Times that the group, numbering about 15, moved through the area wielding guns and machetes. Many were reportedly dressed in black and some wore nose masks, making identification difficult as they approached unsuspecting pedestrians and shop owners.
A resident who identified herself simply as Omowunmi said the moment Armed men invade Ojo, confusion set in almost instantly.
“We did not know where they emerged from; we just saw them all dressed in black and displaying different weapons, including guns and machetes. Some of them wore nose masks. They started from First Gate down towards Iyana School. They were approaching people randomly while people ran for safety,” she said.
Traders quickly abandoned their wares while others hurriedly locked up their shops to avoid confrontation. Commuters were seen running across the road, and vehicles made sudden turns in attempts to escape the unfolding violence.
Another eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, disclosed that the attackers forcibly entered several shops, including a supermarket, carting away goods and cash.
“While the robbery and assault were ongoing, some traders locked up quickly, while others just ran. They entered some shops, including a supermarket, and took goods and money,” the source said.
Residents expressed concern that when Armed men invade Ojo, the operation lasted for several minutes without immediate police intervention, despite the presence of a nearby police station.
“We were surprised such an incident was happening in broad daylight. More worrisome is that the operation lasted for several minutes without police intervention. A police station is about three minutes away, yet no officer was in sight while the robbers continued,” said Pius Oleme, another resident.
A video circulating on X, formerly Twitter, captured one of the attackers wielding a machete while harassing pedestrians and chasing a commercial bus. In the footage, a female passenger could be heard crying and pleading with the driver to move quickly as chaos unfolded around them.
“A lady captured this video yesterday, crying and begging the bus driver to move as armed men with cutlasses and guns stormed Iyana School in broad daylight along LASU Road, Ojo, Lagos,” a user identified as @ThatOjoBoy wrote while sharing the clip.
Reacting to the situation, the Lagos State Police Command clarified that the violence was linked to a clash between rival factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) over control of a bus park in the area.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, explained that officers intervened to manage the confrontation between the factions, but hoodlums exploited the unrest to perpetrate criminal acts around the First Gate axis.
“It was the National Union of Road Transport Workers that was fighting. A section wanted to take over the park in the area, while the other section confronted them. We were able to take charge of the situation, but hoodlums took advantage at the 1st gate area. One person was arrested and handed over to Command Special Squad 1,” she stated.
Security observers note that transport union disputes in Lagos have occasionally escalated into public disturbances, particularly in high-traffic commercial zones. LASU Road serves thousands of commuters daily, including students of Lagos State University and traders operating along the corridor.
When Armed men invade Ojo in such a strategic commercial area, the economic impact is immediate. Traders reported temporary losses due to disrupted sales, while commuters faced delays and safety concerns.
Though business activities have gradually resumed, many shop owners remain cautious. Some traders said they would close earlier than usual until security visibility improves in the area.
Residents have called for increased patrols and faster emergency response systems to prevent similar incidents. Community leaders are expected to engage security agencies to strengthen surveillance along LASU Road and adjoining streets.
The iNews Times gathered that investigations are ongoing, and police authorities have assured residents that security measures are being reinforced to deter further violence.
The incident underscores ongoing concerns about public safety in densely populated urban centres and highlights the ripple effects of factional disputes within transport unions.
The iNews Times will continue to monitor developments surrounding the incident as authorities work to restore confidence and stability in the affected community.
