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ONE person may have reportedly died, and a score of others was severely injured following a clash between traders and Area Boys (Agberos) at the Alaba International Market, in the Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos.
The confrontation, which began in the early hours of Wednesday, October 19, 2022, led to the closure of the market, as traders refused to open. According to media reports, the thugs may have decided to fight back following Tuesday, October 18, 2022, move by a task force of the Lagos State Government to clear the roads around the market of illegal loading by commercial buses and traders displaying their wares illegally.
Other sources claimed that it may be a result of the market association rejecting the leadership of the market by thugs, who charge exorbitant rates and make aggressive demands for money from them. Still, others claim it is a leadership battle.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement on the clash, but it has totally crumbled economic activities in the area, as traffic has also increased along that stretch of road.
Responding to this, the Spokesperson of the state police command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said in a tweet that the market is now calm, and normalcy restored.
He also added that men of the Ojo Division are on the ground, under the supervision of Area Commander Festac, ACP Igbafe Afegbai. Hundeyin also assured residents that there is no cause for alarm, adding that monitoring of the situation continues.
