Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, on Thursday ordered the closure of the popular Mile 12 market and imposed curfew on four streets in the area following the mayhem that took over the area earlier in the day, which resulted in the torching of houses and churches.
The Governor, while announcing the decision to newsmen at the State House, Ikeja, said, “In order to further restore calm in the community, I have ordered that the Mile 12 market be temporarily shut and urge traders and other stakeholders to eschew violence and be law abiding. Furthermore, I have ordered temporary restriction of movement in four streets-Oniyanrin, Maidan, Agiliti 1 and Agiliti 2 streets.”
He acknowledged that there was a dispute between members of Mile 12 community in kosofe Local Government Area, saying that the police and other security officials were called in to manage the situation.
In Ambode’s words, “After their intervention, the dispute appeared to have subsided. Today, I have just been informed that some hoodlums and criminal elements have exploited that dispute to cause a breakdown of law and order in the community. This type of clash does occur from time to time in a multi-ethnic city like Lagos. And the government has always responded appropriately.
“The public is thereby assured that we will not shy away from our responsibilities to protect life and property in the state. we will deal decisively with those criminal elements involved in the clash. I have been assured by the commissioner of police and other security agencies at the scene that the situation has been brought under control.
“I want to assure residents of Lagos State that the state is home to every ethnic group. No one should give this clash any ethnic colouration. Every law abiding citizen should go about their businesses.”
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