A former chairman of Amuwo Odofin local government area, Ayo Adewale, on Wednesday evening escaped a violent attack launched on him and his entourage by members of a criminal gang named Community Policing Youth Vanguard (CPYV) and sponsored by a top police officer. The alleged attack took place in FESTAC town, Lagos.
Speaking to our correspondent, a visibly upset Mr. Adewale described the attack as an assassination attempt on him. He disclosed that his driver, Ifeanyi Nwoga, was severely injured in the attack and was on life support in a hospital.
The former local government official said he had just finished a meeting with party members in the local government area when his attackers arrived, wielding guns, cutlasses and other deadly weapons. He said the assailants were led by Ayuba Okeshola and Fatai Onifade as well as another man he identified by his first name of Niyi, adding that the gang had more than 50 members. He also stated that his attackers arrived about 6 p.m. in a Honda Pilot car with registration number 819 LSD as well as other vehicles.
According to him, he “narrowly escaped being killed,” adding that his driver was grievously injured. He told our correspondent that the police later escorted the attackers from the scene in police vans sent by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Dan Okoro. He alleged that the police area commander provided the vans to assist the attackers to safely return to their base, after they were expected to have succeeded in their homicidal mission.
ACP Okoro reportedly set up the militia group after he and Mr. Adewale tussled over control of access roads in the local government area. Mr. Okoro was accused of taking bribes from freight loading companies to permit their trucks to use restricted roads.
Mr. Adewale alleged that the police officer formed the CYPV in order to use them to perpetuate his questionable activities. He stated that the group had in the past stormed the local government secretariat and assaulted workers and officers.
A resident of the area accused members of the illegal CPYV of protecting pipeline vandals in the area, adding that the gang often attacked those who speak against theft by the vandals.