Various sources indicate that Shomolu and Somolu are different spellings for the same neighbouring district of the city of Lagos, Lagos State, either explicitly explaining the existence of two spellings (Encyclopaedia Britannica 2000), providing similar addresses (for example, Ornamental Fish International n.d.), map locations (National Geographic Society Feb. 2001), or describing an event using both variations of the name within a single report (P.M. News 19 Nov. 1998; Post Express 19 May 1997; ibid. 15 Mar. 1997). The spelling most frequently found in references to the Lagos district or town among some Nigerian media (The Guardian, Post-Express and Vanguard) is Somolu, not Shomolu. This, however, does not preclude the possible existence of other locations in Nigeria with a similar name, with either spelling, and not found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

No reports on a confrontation on 4 December 1999 between members of the police "Operation Sweep" and persons at an Oodua People's Congress (OPC) meeting, which resulted in five OPC deaths and the arrest of 40 others, could be found among the sources consulted. However, references to a similar incident in November 1998 can be found in NGA33870.E of 25 February 2000, and additional reports (i.e.: P.M. News 19 Nov. 1998).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Encyclopaedia Britannica [Chicago]. 2000a. "Shomolu." http://www.britannica.com/seo/s/shomolu/ [Accessed 7 Feb. 2001]

National Geographic Society, Washington, DC. February 2000. "MapMachine." http://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/mapmachine/plates.html [Accessed 7 Feb. 2001]

Ornamental Fish International (OFI), Malaga, Spain. N.d. "Members Directory: Africa." http://www.ornamental-fish-int.org/africa.htm [Accessed 7 Feb. 2001]

P. M. News. 19 November 1998. "Bolaji Adepegba and Gabrial Orok. "Nigeria: Government Probes Lagos Killings." (Africa News)

Post Express [Lagos]. 19 May 1997. "FSP, Somolu LG, Smithkline-Beecham to Build Community Hospital." http://www.postexpresswired.com/ [Accessed 8 Feb. 2001]

_____. 15 March 1997. "What Makes People Vote for Candidates?" http://www.postexpresswired.com/ [Accessed 8 Feb. 2001]

Africa Confidential [London]. 1999-2000.
Africa Research Bulletin [London]. Dec. 1999-Jan. 2000