Posted by By Eugene Agha on
No fewer than two persons were said to have been killed and 15 others arrested yesterday following a violent clash that erupted between some street urchins and.....
No fewer than two persons were said to have been killed and 15 others arrested yesterday following a violent clash that erupted between some street urchins and traders at the popular Ladipo Spareparts market, Mushin over who controls the market.
The clash at Ladipo market came barely 24 hours after some commercial motorcyclists, popularly called Okada Riders on Sunday set ablaze a Police Patrol vehicle along the Herbert Macualy Way, Yaba, for allegedly knocking down one of their colleague. A Police Sargent attached to Sabo Police Station was almost beaten to death by the irate Okada riders.
Report has it that the Ladipo market incident also led to the destruction of property valued at several millions of naira. Several traders were said to have sustained severe injuries during the fracas.
Eye witness account has it that trouble, which had been brewing for sometime now reached its boiling point yesterday when some of the urchins allegedly led by one Oji made moves to topple the present leadership of the market association, an action which they said was vehemently rebuffed by the traders who saw it as an affront.
The traders it was also gathered had barely settled for the days business when over 100 hoodlums, armed with guns, machetes and clubs, stormed the market secretariat and attempted to install their leader identified as Oji as the chairman of the entire market.
Fighting, they said, later ensued between those allegedly loyal to Oji and those said to be loyal to the incumbent chairman of the Market Association.
"It was at this stage that two persons were matcheted to dead by the warring faction.
However, Governor Bola Tinubu has ordered the market shut and empowered the police to take control of the market until further notice.
A Maxima C6 Jeep belonging to Oji was immediately set on fire by the traders" the witness added.
The witness also alleged that for fear of losing his life, Oji and some members of the group bolted into the thin air, leaving behind some of their members.
However, the fracas took another dimension when news of the attack on Oji got to some of the urchins at Mushin, as they stormed the market like bees on honey destroying whatever they could lay their hands on.
Armed mobile policemen have been moved to the market.
Also, A police officer escaped death by the whiskers after a police patrol van knock down an okada rider at WAEC area of Herbert Macualy way, Yaba.
A police source at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja, said on Sunday, June 25, at about 6.08pm, one Sergeant Esu was rushed to Sabo Police Station with injury on his lips and hand.
During interrogation, he revealed that himself and four other policemen were involved in an accident with an okada rider who he alleged was driving dangerously against traffic at WAEC junction.
He explained that other okada riders attacked them and set their vehicle on fire.
While confirming the Ladipo incident, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Olubode Ojajuni, said about 15 persons have been arrested for their alleged involvment in the fracas which occurred in the market .
He said all those arrested will soon be charged to court.