A witness, Musbau Ayinde, has revealed how soldiers attached to Operation MESA, shot a 15-year-old boy, Pelumi Sulaimon, and a tricycle operator, identified simply as Aloma,
around Makoko, in the Yaba area of Lagos State.
According to the PUNCH, Ayinde, who is a relative of Pelumi, stated that a clash caused by political rivalry in the community on the 26th of February led to the death of the deceased.
He said, “There was a clash between members of two political parties at a base close to Makoko roundabout on Thursday night. The fight was later settled after the intervention of some residents in the area.
“After that, there was another confrontation between them during the election held on Saturday but that did not lead to a fight and we all thought it had ended there not until Sunday when a thug belonging to one of the political parties brought soldiers and stormed the base where the clash occurred the last time.
“When they got there, they did not meet their targets, so the soldiers who were attached to the OP MESA started to shoot indiscriminately and that was how one of the bullets hit Pelumi in his ribs. A tricycle rider known as Aloma was also shot dead.
“He was about getting passengers at the park when he heard the gunshots and fled. But they thought he was one of their targets and that was how they aimed at him and shot him. Even after he fell down, they came down from their van, moved close to him and shot him again in the head.”
Pelumi’s brother, Afeez, also revealed that Pelumi was out to get drinks for his friends as he was celebrating his 15-year-old birthday anniversary when he was shot.
The incident has been confirmed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin.
“The case is at the State Criminal Investigation Department. No suspect has been arrested yet and investigation is still ongoing,” he said
