Ambode orders closure of market after ethnic clash

dimeji akinloye

March 3, 2016 7:50 PM

At least three people were said to have lost their lives and several cars burnt as Hausa and Yoruba traders clashed.

Security operatives storm the scene of the incident.

Lagos State Governor,

At least three people were said to have lost their livesand several cars burnt as Hausa and Yoruba traders clashed.

Ambode ordered the closure while addressing newsmen at the Lagos House of Assembly. He said his government will deal decisively with those who disturbs the peace of the state and Lagosians.

He also ordered temporary restriction of movements within some streets in the axis, including Oniyanri Street, Meidan Street, Agiliti 1 and Agiliti 2, urging traders and community leaders to be law abiding.

Ambode, who recalled that there was some disagreement in the market on Wednesday but the situation was brought under control, said, “Today, I have just been informed that some miscreants and criminal elements have exploited that dispute to cause a breakdown of law and order within the area.

“These sorts of clashes do occur from time to time in multi-ethnic city like Lagos and the government has always responded appropriately. The public is hereby assured that we will not shy away from our responsibility to protect lives and properties," Ambode said.

“I will deal decisively with those criminal elements that fan embers of ethnic strife. I have been assured by the commissioner of police and other security agencies who are on ground at the scene that it has been substantially brought under control.

“Let me assure Lagosians that the state is home to every tribe and ethnic group and nobody should give this disturbance any ethnic colouration or whatsoever. Every law-abiding citizen should go about their lawful business,” he assured.

Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseeni, many of the traders linked to the clash, noting that the market closure and restriction of movements in the areas mentioned by the Governor will remained closed as long as needed.

“We have made a substantial number of arrests, we are still counting,” Owoseeni said.

The Commissioner however denied knowledge of deaths contrary to media reports.

dimeji akinloye