Lagos market shut as Hausa/Yoruba clash leaves 3 dead

The Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has ordered the closure of the Mile 12 market in Lagos following ethnic clashes between Hausas and Yorubas over a heated argument which has left three people dead and several cars set ablaze.

Trouble started on Tuesday according to reports after a Hausa commercial motorbike rider knocked down a woman and was told by executives of motorbike association to take the woman to hospital but the motorbike rider and his other colleagues of Hausa origin refused.

Instead, the motorbike rider alongside his other colleagues insisted that the motorbike association, which collects tolls from them, should take care of the woman.

Read also: Kidnappers of Ikorudu girls demand N60 million ransom

The stance of the motorbike rider and his other colleagues led to a heated argument on Tuesday which led to a fight. Clashes continued on Wednesday till Thursday as thugs believed to be of Yoruba origin attacked Hausa traders.

Security operatives are now patrolling the area and the Ikorodu road has been blocked as the Nigerian police led by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni; the Commander of the Rapid Response Squad, Olatunji Disu; the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operation, Lagos State Police Command are doing everything to restore normalcy.

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