The Lagos State Police Command,
yesterday, announced that four persons have been admitted in hospital and five
arrested following a clash between Hausa and Yoruba people at the Ilepo Market
area of Lagos State.
The clash, which started since
Saturday, allegedly left many people injured. An eyewitness claimed that
trouble started after Hausa traders refused to pay market royalty, but the
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Bala Elkana, said that such
claims should be disregarded.
Elkana explained that on August 18,
at about 10a, Alhaji Adekunle Habib of
Ilepo Market reported at Oke-Odo Police Station that there was a
misunderstanding between a Hausa scavenger and an area boy from Yoruba ethnic
group.
Elkana said: “The area boy was
carrying some goods on his head, when he was mistakenly pushed by the Hausa boy.
His goods fell down. Arguments ensued between the two parties, leading to
exchange of blows. Friends of the two parties joined in solidarity fight and
other miscreants took advantage of the moment to steal and loot.
“They blocked Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway.
What started as a fight between two miscreants almost snowballed into ethnic
crises, if not for the timely intervention of Police teams from Oke-Odo
Division.”
He disclosed that the command sent reinforcements
from the Operations Department, Rapid Response Squads (RRS), Taskforce,
Tactical Units and Police Mobile Force. Divisions within the Area Command
equally sent reinforcements.
“The situation was brought under
control and traffic cleared. No was dead recorded, but four persons sustained
various degrees of injuries and are receiving medical attention. Five suspects,
Kabiru Mohammed, Kabiru Adamu, Bashiru Mohammed, Saliu Madu and Yusuf
Amuda were arrested in connection with the breach of peace. Normalcy has been
restored and patrols are ongoing in the affected areas. Suspects will be
charged to Court, said Elkana.
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