The Lagos State Police spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, has refuted the report that two persons were on Tuesday feared killed and 15 others including a man, John Vincent, injured after some hoodlums clashed at the Ladipo Market in Mushin area of the state.
The spokesperson, a Superintendent of police, said although four persons sustained injuries, no death was recorded as reports had it.
A national newspaper had earlier reported that the crisis, which began around 8 am over illegal ticketing, escalated into an ethnic fight between Igbo traders and Yoruba residents.
Residents of Odushina, Olapeju, Oloje, Akinwunmi streets and environs fled as vehicles were allegedly vandalised.
It was reported that one Kazeem Owoseni, 28, and another unnamed man were butchered to death, while others, including Aguda and Alabi were said to be lying unconscious at the hospital.
It was gathered that the residents who took to the streets to protest the destruction of their homes, called on the government to relocate the market, but trouble started after 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.
Meanwhile, Mushin Local Government Executive Secretary Jide Bello, who visited the scene, had 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.
Reacting to the development, the police spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police has ordered full scale investigation into the matter.
“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 PPRO confirmed.
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