Eromosele Ebhomele
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left), addressing the media on the Mile 12 clash, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Thursday, March 03, 2016. (L-R) With him are Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem; Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni and Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde
Following Thursday clash between the Hausa and Yoruba communities in the Mile 12 area of Lagos State, western Nigeria, residents of adjoining streets have called on the state government to relocate the market.
The clash, allegedly provoked by a motorcycle rider, resulted in the death of over six people as well as destruction of properties. Many houses in the surrounding environment were torched by irate youths during the clash.
Many of those who fled their homes are yet to return according to findings by our correspondent. Some of the residents have decided to put up in the church with family members till they are sure of peace in the area.
Some of the residents lamented that their property were destroyed even when they knew nothing about the fracas.
They called on the state government as well as the state House of Assembly to relocate the market, pointing that, the heavy presence of Hausas in the market have made the place volatile.
“Over 15 residential houses were destroyed in the fight and over 25 vehicles were razed. Our properties were destroyed,” a resident who gave her name as Remi said.
Another resident of the area, Fatai (surname withheld), disclosed that the Hausa men carried out their attacks with recklessness and in the full glare of security agents.
“Most of the policemen drafted to this place only fired teargas canisters at the Yoruba youths thus paving way for the Hausas to carry out their wanton destruction of lives and property.
“We made several calls to the police authorities when we discovered that some of the policemen at the scene only watched as houses were being razed down.
“It was when Governor Akinwunmi Ambode moved in that the police took action. By this time, a lot of things had been destroyed,” he said.
Some of the residents called for the immediate withdrawal of policemen whom they accused of conniving with the Hausa people to unleash mayhem on them and that instead army officers should be deployed to the affected areas.
“We have more trust in the army,” a resident told our correspondent.
Residents said despite the security presence, some shops in the Agiliti area of Mile 12 were still destroyed around 2:00am.
“Even this morning, there were reports that some houses were still destroyed on your way to Magodo.
“As a result of this, coupled with sounds of gunshots heard this morning, some residents moved their families to safety. The situation is still causing panic in our area,” Victoria Owoduni, a resident of Agiliti said.
Governor Ambode and the Commissioner of Police in the state, Fatai Owoseni, had on Thursday said security agencies were on top of the situation.
According to reports from the police, about 50 suspects have been arrested over the incident.
Lagos residents call for relocation of Mile 12 market
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