Hausa, Yoruba Traders Clash In Lagos Market, Police Arrest 10

Ten persons suspected to be Area Boys have been arrested over their alleged involvement in the violence that broke out yesterday between Hausa and Yoruba traders at the popular Ile-Epo/Oke-Odo market, Abule-Egba area of Lagos state.

The clash, which was triggered by a minor disagreement, caused heavy vehicular gridlock on the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway as wares, mostly agricultural produces, littered the road.  A yet to be ascertained number of persons sustained a varying degree of wounds as the warring factions engaged themselves in a free for all fight.

Some of the injured were rushed to the Orile-Agege General Hospital, which is directly opposite the market, a witness told The Newera News correspondent. It was gathered that the traders engaged themselves with dangerous weapons, while urchins seized the advantage to loot traders’ shops.

The battle later spread to the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway and causing heavy vehicular gridlock on the road, It was learned that vehicles heading to Lagos from Sango in Ogun state and those moving to Abule-Egba from Oshodi and other parts of the state were trapped in the confusion that followed the clash.

It was learned that trouble started on Saturday night when traders at the market where food items are sold clashed over a yet to be known issue. Food items such as pepper, tomato, ham vegetables were destroyed in the fracas.

Some residents of the area have started to move out of the place in order not to be trapped in the blood bath that might likely trail Saturday night clash Bala Elkana, police public relations officer in Lagos, said the initial crisis started between some scavengers and hoodlums also known as Area Boys at Oke-Odo. Elkana said five suspects have since been arrested over the clash between scavengers and Area Boys at Oke Odo

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The aftermath of the clash among traders at Ilepo Oke Odo market, in Alimosho council area of Lagos.

The aftermath of the clash among traders at Ilepo Oke Odo market, in Alimosho council area of Lagos.