Lagos market shut as hoodlums clash, 50 arrested
The Lagos State Police Command, on Thursday, arrested over about 50 suspects following a clash by hoodlums at popular Ile-Epo foodstuff market in the Alimosho Local Government Area of the state.
The clash, which started night of Wednesday May 1, 2024, reportedly continued till morning of Thursday May 2 as the warring thugs settled scores over an undisclosed matter.
The fight got to more dangerous level as the warring hoodlums set parts of the market including the goods therein on fire.
First responders like policemen and Fire Service operatives have been deployed to the scene.
In a statement, police spokesperson in the state, Benjamin Hundeyin, said normalcy has been restored to the market.
“Following reports of clashes among some youths and hoodlums in the Ile-Epo area of Lagos State, the DPO Oke-Odo swiftly led his men to the scene, and have since restored normalcy,” he said.
“Over fifty suspects have so far been arrested while the shanties they occupied have been destroyed, effectively dislodging them.
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Adegoke Fayoade, mni has directed the prompt prosecution of the arrested hoodlums and has equally warned that the Command would decisively deal with anyone found breaching the peace, in accordance with the law.
“Meanwhile, the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations), Area Commander Alagbado and other Divisional Police Officers under the Area Command are currently on ground to forestall further breakdown of law and order.”
As at 12pm Thursday when our reporter visited the scene of crisis, the Ile-Epo market was seen shut and surrounded by tens of police vehicles in different convoys, with sirens blasting at their peak.
