The fight degenerated into a violent ethnic clash
About 15 people were wounded and 2 persons dead yesterday including
a man, as hoodlums clashed at the popular Ladipo Market in Mushin,
Lagos state.
It was gathered that trouble started around 8am over illegal
ticketing. The clash later degenerated into a serious ethnic battle
between Igbo and Yoruba traders.
Things took a different dimension when hoodlums scrambled over
collection of ticket money from a car that parked in the area, which
left one person injured.
In retaliation, one Aguleri, leader of the Ladipo Executive
Council’s Taskforce, who claimed to be acting under the orders of the
union’s President allegedly, led the hoodlums that wreaked havoc.
The incident resulted in the burning of vehicles and shops as
residents of Odushina, Olapeju, Oloje and Akinwunmi streets fled for
their dear lives.
According to The Nation, Residents have promised a showdown after
claiming that one Kazeem Owoseni, 28, and another unnamed man were
butchered to death. Others, including Aguda and Alabi were lying
unconscious at the hospital. A young man, Babalola, who claimed to be a
Navy Captain, lost his Mitsubishi Outlander car.
Giving details of the incident, Babalola said he brought the
vehicle to his mechanic on Monday only for it to be vandalized. He gave a
24-hour ultimatum for its replacement or a fresh violence will erupt.
Residents did not hold back as they took to the streets to protest
the destruction of their homes, called on the government to relocate the
market.
However, another account of how the trouble started revealed that
trouble started at Olapeju Street after a sand seller identified as
Iyiola Okunade alias Baba Kekere stopped Aguleri’s boys from blocking
his wares.
According to the aged man, Aguleri aka Miracle, who said he was
acting under the instruction of the Union President (Segun), pushed him
and he retired into his home.
“The union is biased and they are the problem here. The Igbos are hiding under the union to wreak havoc.
“I usually come out in the morning around 6am to pack sand from
the gutter with my wheelbarrow because that’s what I sell in front of
my house. So, I had used my barrow to block my frontage so that no car
will park there and cover my wares.
“Suddenly, one man came and said I must leave there. He pushed
me and people came to settle it. So, I went into my room and then I
started hearing shouts,” he said.
Another victim, Bishop Julius Oridota, pastor in charge of
Christian Evangelical Assembly lamented that the hoodlums burnt his
vehicle and attempted to set his church ablaze.
Accusing the police of injustice, he claimed that after showing
them the arsonist and they were arrested, the said Aguleri bribed the
police and they were released.
“They initially arrested the guy who set the car ablaze but when Aguleri bribed them, they left him,” he said.
An inconsolable man who claimed to be Owoseni’s brother threatened
to avenge his death, accusing policemen from Olosan station of
corruption.
“Kazeem heard noise that there was a fight. He came out to know
what was happening and they butchered him to death. They killed my
brother. Aguleri and his people have killed my brother.
“Policemen from Olosan gave them cover. Our police are not
helping us. I saw three police people. Aguda came there to find out what
was happening and they cut his head. Same thing happened to Alabi.
Alabi is in a comma,” he said.
Chimezie Felix, a trader, who came to buy spare parts from Ladipo
market, was stabbed at the back while carrying his goods to his shop. He
was rushed to Mount Sinai hospital at Olanibi Street.
Mushin Local Government Executive Secretary Jide Bello, who visited
the scene, urged the people to maintain peace, assuring them that
investigation will be conducted and those found guilty punished.
“I am not aware of casualties at the moment but you can see
that a lot of destruction happened here. I am only suing for peace now.
We are going to investigate the cause of the problem and find lasting
solution. I do not believe in tribalism. We are all one Nigerians and
so, we will pursue peace,” he said.
The police has said no death was recorded.
Police spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, said: “No single death
recorded, four men injured and rushed to the hospital. The fracas ensued
after a fight between two people over buying of foods. The command’s
operatives from Area D, RRS moved in and normalcy has been restored. The
Commissioner of Police has ordered full scale investigation into the
matter.”
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