Few people killed as Yoruba, Hausa clash in Mile 12

No fewer than seven people were feared killed during a bloody clash between persons of Yoruba and Hausa ethnic origins in Mile 12 area of Ketu in Lagos State. Goods worth millions of naira, over 20 vehicles, shops, a car park, parts of a market, two schools and houses, including that of the Baale of Mile 12, were razed in the fire incident.

The clash, which was said to have started from a motorcycle accident, enveloped the entire Ketu, Mile 12 and Agilinti areas of Lagos State in fears. Lagos Metro gathered that it all started on Tuesday night, when two commercial motorcyclists collided, leading to the death of one of them. A resident of the area, who simply identified himself as Solomon narrated that “it all started on Tuesday night, when two okada riders had a head-on collision. A Yoruba motorcyclist was riding, when a Hausa boy made an illegal u-turn and there was a fatal accident. The Yoruba people, who were there, insisted that the Yoruba okada rider must be taken to the hospital but the Hausa people declined, before the boy later died.” The Thursday clash started around 10 o’clock in the morning and continued till the afternoon, despite the presence of policemen and soldiers. The image maker in charge of the state police command, Dolapo Badmus confirmed the clash between two groups of people in Agiliti area of Mile 12, stating that, “a team of policemen from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Mobile Police Unit and others, led by the commissioner of police, Fatai Owoseni, restored normalcy in the area.” In the aftermath of the crisis, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, on Thursday, ordered the temporary closure of the market and also ordered temporary restriction of movements within the streets, adjoining the market, which include Oniyanri Street, Meidan Street, Agiliti 1 and Agiliti 2. He urged traders, community leaders and other stakeholders to eschew violence, and also rolled out the new rules while addressing newsmen at the Lagos House in company of the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseeni and the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Steve Ayorinde. This was just as the police boss, Owoseni, disclosed that a substantial number of suspects, numbering over 50, had been arrested in connection with the clash, saying the closure of the market and restriction of movement in the areas listed by the governor would remain as long as the situation demanded. “We have made a substantial number of arrests, over 50, and we are still counting,” Owoseeni said, even as he insisted that he did not witness any killing or saw the market burning when he visited the scene