The Lagos State government on Thursday shut down Mile 12 market after
a clash between Yoruba and Hausa communities left five people dead.
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said Thursday that the market would remain
closed until the dispute between the communities is resolved.
“These types of clashes do occur from time to time in a multi-ethnic
city like Lagos and the government has always responded appropriately,”
Mr. Ambode said.
“The public is hereby assured that we will not shy away from our
responsibilities to protect lives and property, and will deal decisively
with those criminal elements who fan embers of ethnic strife.”
The cause of the crisis remained unclear, according to a source he explained that it began on Wednesday, following a dispute between two
commercial motorcyclists from the two ethnic groups, which degenerated
into a crisis after the Hausa rider allegedly stabbed the Yoruba rider.
He further explained that the youth at Mile 12
attacked the Hausa Okada rider, leading to the Hausa community
mobilizing an attack against the Yoruba community.
Five people have been killed since the clashes began
It took the intervention of police officers of the Rapid Response Squad to quell the crisis. But on Thursday, another round of clashes erupted again.
According to the Gov. of Lagos state Akinwunmi Ambode “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.
“I have been assured by the commissioner of police and other security
agencies who are on ground at the scene that the situation has been
substantially brought under control.”
The governor also announced a temporary restriction of movement in
four streets the area – Oniyanri Street, Maidan Street, Agiliti 1 and
Agiliti 2 – where the clashes occurred.
“Let me assure Lagosians that the state is home to every tribe and
ethnic group and nobody should give this disturbance any ethnic
coloration whatsoever,” he added.
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