Ambode orders closure of Mile 12 Market

At least, three persons were reported killed in the Mile 12 area of Lagos State on Thursday in a clash that broke out between the Hausa and Yoruba communities.

Houses and churches were also allegedly torched while traders and residents around the Mile 12 Market were seen scampering in different directions for safety, as the police battled to bring the situation under control.

The clash was said to have erupted when two commercial motorcycle riders, a Yoruba and a Hausa, clashed. This further degenerated into an ethnic clash, as the wider Yoruba and Hausa communities joined in solidarity, with knives and other dangerous weapons freely used.

Meanwhile, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has ordered the temporary closure of the Mile 12 Market, following the bloody clash.

Ambode also announced the restriction of movement on four streets in the area – Oniyanri Street, Maidan Street, Agiliti 1 and Agiliti 2 streets, while Fatai Owoseni, the state commissioner of police, confirmed to newsmen yesterday that 50 suspects had been arrested in connection with the violence.

Addressing State House correspondents at Alausa, Ambode said the decision to shut the market and restrict movement on the streets was to aid security agencies restore calm in the area.

“In order to further restore calm, I have ordered that Mile 12 Market be temporarily closed and urged traders, community leaders and other stakeholders to eschew violence; be calm and law abiding.

“Furthermore, I have also ordered a temporary restriction of movement in the following streets; Oniyanri Street, Maidan Street, Agiliti 1 and Agiliti 2,” he said.

He also used the opportunity to reiterate that Lagos would continue to be home to every Nigerian, irrespective of their tribe or ethnic affiliation, urging residents to continue to be law abiding.

Also speaking, the police commissioner said the police had brought the situation under control, saying the police would move in right away to enforce the order by the government.

Owoseni dismissed reports that there was a fire outbreak in Mile 12 Market, adding that over 50 suspects had been arrested in connection with the dispute in the area.

“I’m telling you what I saw and what I witnessed. As at the time I left the scene to come to this place, there was no fire at Mile 12 Market. It was within Agiliti where some vehicles were being burnt by miscreants and as I told you, those miscreants have been cleared off the road,” he said.