Police arrest suspect over APC youth leader’s death in Lagos

The police, in Lagos, said they have arrested a man, who allegedly pulled a gun and shot dead a youth leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kunle Awotunde.

Awotunde was reportedly killed at Ilogbo in Ebute-Meta area of Lagos Mainland.

The spokeswoman for the state command, DSP Ngozi Braide, confirmed the arrest in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the weekend.

She said a police team from Iponri Divisional Headquarters apprehended the suspect at his hideout on Saturday.

According to Braide, peace has returned to the area following the tension and fighting that trailed Awotunde’s death on April 29. She added that police had begun investigations into the cause of the death of the politician.

A community leader and white cap chief in the area, Chief Lateef Ajose, told NAN that there had been shooting by unknown gunmen every night after the killing of Awotunde.

He said the community had sought the assistance of the commander of the Rapid Respond Squad (RSS) the State Criminal Investigating Department, Yaba, on the matter.

“I am appealing to the Lagos state government, the police commissioner and other security agencies to beef up security in the area. Everybody is living in fear. People are indoors, no shop is open because of constant shooting.

“The situation here is tense. If I tell you that all is well with us here I will be telling a lie. I have made some sacrifices to appease the gods, yet there is still no peace,’’ Ajose said.

He added: “I have written a petition to the governor, Oba of Lagos, the police and the council for their intervention.

“I am appealing to all the factions to stop killing themselves; most of the youths causing the problem do not live in this area.’’

Efforts to contact the Chairman, Lagos Mainland Local Government, Mr. Oladele Adekanye, for his comment were unsuccessful. (NAN)