The Nigerian Navy recorded a casualty among its ranks as a Rating, OS Harrison GI X21440, was on Friday killed by a stray bullet during an inter-criminal gang clash at Olowojeunjeje Street in the Ajegunle general area of Lagos.
OS Harrison was serving at LLD Apapa and resident at Navy Barracks Mobile Road in the area. His body was first evacuated to Navy Medical Centre (NMC) Mobile Road at about 8.40pm and later deposited at Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital (NNRH) Ojo Morgue on Saturday morning.
Sources said that the incident, which happened at about 8pm on Friday, took place during the clash which was a reprisal attack between the rival criminal gangs that specializes in One-Chance and Phone snatching syndicate and has been terrorizing the Ajegunle general area.
According to the source: “Findings revealed that there exist a long history of inter-cult, criminal gang clashes within the community which is notorious for recording such incidences. It was further confirmed that the particular reprisals is resultant to two earlier killings recorded this week where one gang member from each group were killed on Tuesday 20 June 23 at Amukoko and Wednesday 21 June 13 midnight at Nosamu Street respectively.
“Consequently, the gang from Imam street Amukoko came to Olowojeunjeje street Ajegunle, where the rival gang were reportedly gathered and shot sporadically leaving several persons with bullets wounds and killing 3 persons including a Naval rating identified as OS Harrison GI X21440 a 31AK serving at LLD Apapa and resident at Navy Barracks Mobile Road.
“The Naval Rating was first evacuated to NMC Mobile road at about 2040 and later deposited at NNRH Ojo Morgue at about 0905 Sat 24 Jun 23. It is pertinent to add that the Tricycle used to convey the corpse of the deceased was seized at NMC Mobile road. However, no arrest was made.”
The source described the death of OS Harrison GI as “quite unfortunate,” but said it shows the need for all personnel to maintain a high level of personal security.
He warned all personnel to “avoid late outing, hanging out with persons of controversial identities and red spot locations known to be susceptible to attacks by criminal elements,” advising that they should opt for the use of Nigerian Navy Messes and Mammy markets which has some level of security.
The source noted that the Naval authorities are liaising with the Nigeria Police to “ensure proper investigation to unravel those behind the killing of the rating and to ensure the law takes his cause.”
