No fewer than three people have been confirmed dead with a police inspector critically in life threatening condition following a violent clash at the Owode Onirin market.
Blueprint.ng reports that the Lagos state Police command has restored normalcy to the area but has also declared a suspect, Abiodun Ariori, the CEO of Prosperous Ariori Golden Venture Limited, wanted in connection with the fatal incident.
The violence, which also resulted in the destruction of goods worth millions of naira, was reportedly a resumption of a long-standing land dispute.
Eyewitnesses said the clashes began around 7:15 pm on Tuesday when armed men allegedly acting on behalf of Ariori attempted to enforce actions on the disputed land, despite a standing court order to maintain the status quo.
According to the Lagos Police spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, police personnel had to use tear gas, with warning shots to disperse the feuding parties.
He said the Police Commissioner Olohundare Jimoh personally led a combined team of officers to the scene to restore order.
The commissioner has since ordered a sustained police presence in the area to prevent any resurgence of the crisis.
Hundeyin confirmed that the three victims who sustained fatal injuries were rushed to the hospital by the police but were pronounced dead.
The Lagos state Police command is now actively searching for Abiodun Ariori, who is believed to be in hiding.
“The command has also detained four police officers who were allegedly brought in from outside Lagos by the suspect to perform illegal duties. The outcome of their trial will be made public,” the spokesman said.
The command speaking on Balogun market said the police has restored law, following a public fight between hoodlums that resulted in loss of life.
The police clarified that the incident was not a tribal clash, and have urged residents to disregard such rumors.
According to a statement from Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin, a fight broke out at around 11 a.m. on Wednesday, during which one Ebuka Adindu from Abia state allegedly stabbed a person identified as Sodiq Ibrahim from Kogi state to death.
Adindu then stabbed himself and is currently in police custody while receiving treatment at a hospital.
Hundeyin assured the public that no other innocent life was lost and no property was damaged during the fight.
He reiterated that the incident was “purely between miscreants and hoodlums” and was not tribal in nature.
The Commissioner of Police, Jimoh, has called on all residents to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring them that investigations are ongoing and the suspect will be prosecuted once he is discharged from the hospital.
Blueprint.ng reports that normalcy has been restored to the market.
