#Xenophobia: Police kill Lagos protester as mob burns van over xenophobia

The ongoing protest at the Circle Mall , Jakande , in the Lekki area of Lagos State, has taken a tragic turn as a protester has been reportedly shot dead by men of the Nigeria Police Force.

The PUNCH also learnt that a police van was set ablaze by an angry mob that had stormed the mall .

Punchng

A video posted on Twitter and confirmed by some residents showed a body on the floor as gunshots rent the air . Another video showed a police van burning.

A third clip filmed by a motorist showed a man masked with a handkerchief wielding a cutlass .

“ What is happening ? Why are all these boys doing like this ? Are they fighting the police or Shoprite ?” the motorist said .

An actress, Belinda Effah , who was caught in the fracas , claimed that hoodlums had hijacked the protest.

She added that the men had been attacking motorists and called for government ’ s help.

“ Jakande area is very unsafe right now; Area boys everywhere . Everyone ran and left their cars just now. As I was about to run out , the boys carrying machetes and stones told me it ’ s not me they are after, they are looking for South Africans to kill. These same boys vandalised some cars . I saw one of them stone a car and broke the windshield . After a while , they came to our car and asked for some money .

They have blocked the Jakande Road and passengers are so afraid. Nigerian government please come to our aid , ” she wrote on Twitter .

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer , Bala Elkana , said there was calm in the area .

When asked about the online videos, including the one showing the burning police vehicle , he said he was not ready to comment .

Elkana said , “ Everywhere is calm. It is not now that it is burning ( the police vehicle ) . You asked about the situation now, and I said it is calm.

“ I don ’ t have the figure ( of casualty) and I don ’ t want to comment on it . This is a sensitive issue . I don ’ t want to escalate it or speculate also. ”

SOURCE - PUNCHNG