Residents lament recurring cult clashes in Lagos community

<p>Residents and traders in the Ire-Akari Estate of Isolo, Lagos State are currently in fear over recurring cult clashes and activities of hoodlums in the area.</p>, <p>Speaking in separate interviews with PUNCH Metro on Tuesday, residents lamented the insecurity being experienced in the area.</p>, <p>A resident, Mrs Mulikat Alao, told our correspondent that she was already considering relocating from the area.</p>, <p>Alao said, “I just moved into Isolo this year but I’m thinking of relocating because of this restlessness. Cultists’ fights affect us; we can’t sleep when they are fighting.</p>, <p>“If you are outside when they are fighting, you’ll just see people running, traders will start closing shops and running. I was at home when the recent one happened last week. I couldn’t sleep that night because of the gunshots. It was as if the whole thing was happening inside my room.</p>, <p>“We don’t know what will happen next. It is just too much and it did not start now. This is enough reason for people to relocate.”</p>, <p>A trader, Ramat Azeez, said the situation has forced her to be closing her shop early.</p>, <p>“Business is not moving like before because everyone is scared around here. If the government can bring security operatives at different checkpoints in the area, these crimes will reduce,” she said.</p>, <p>Another resident who did not mention his name for fear of reprisal recalled how hoodlums have been terrorising the neighbourhood.</p>, <p>“During a festival, a group of boys confronted my friend in daylight, threatened him and forcefully took his phone.</p>, <p>“I rarely come out at night and if I have to, I am always fast about it. I don’t let my family members come out at night too,” he said.</p>, <p>He suggested that there should be regular police patrol around the area while policemen should be stationed at different spots.</p>, <p>PUNCH Metro had earlier reported that a man was killed in a clash between two suspected rival cult gangs in the area last Tuesday.</p>, <p>Commenting, the state Pol