Updated: 50 arrested, multiple injured as hoodlums clash in Lagos market (Photos)
Suspected hoodlums have set shops and goods on fire, following a clash at Ile-Epo market situated in the Abule Egba area of Lagos State.
Vanguard gathered that a dispute broke out Wednesday night between traders over a betting game.
According to reports, the dispute resulted in an ethnic fight which was later hijacked by hoodlums.
A section of the market was, however, set on fire amid the fight, leaving traders and customers scampering for safety.
Meanwhile, a police statement on Thursday by the command’s spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin, said operatives of the Oko-Odo division intervened to restore normalcy to the area.
“Over fifty suspects have so far been arrested while the shanties they occupied have been destroyed, effectively dislodging them.
“The commissioner of police, Lagos state command, CP Adegoke Fayoade, mni, has directed the prompt prosecution of the arrested hoodlums and has equally warned that the command would decisively deal with anyone found breaching the peace, in accordance with the law,” the police command said.
While the crisis raged, shops were looted and burnt, while the fight continued on Thursday morning.
Our correspondent gathered that some persons were said to have sustained injuries during the fight. All the shops in the market have been shut.
Meanwhile, Men of the Rapid Response Team, RRS, of the Lagos State Police Command, have arrested unspecified number of suspects involved in the Thursday clash between some rival miscreant groups.
The clash which erupted in the early hours left many people were injured and properties destroyed.
A top RRS security officer who did not want to mention his name, said some suspects wee arrested in the process and would be prosecuted accordingly.
It was gathered that fight broke out in the market situated in the area on Wednesday night and continued till Thursday morning over disagreement on collection of truck levies between the rival groups.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, as off 1.30pm, security personnel including RRS were seen patrolling after restoring sanity around the area.
Initially, police intervention was restricted by the hoodlums before they were eventually subdued
Also, fire engines deployed to put out the inferno were forced to reverse after being they were attacked by the hoodlums.
