A middle-aged man lost his life and several others sustained injuries during a violent clash that erupted among hoodlums in the Ile-Epo market area of Abule-Egba, Lagos State, on Thursday.
Over 50 suspected hoodlums believed to be responsible for setting the market ablaze have been arrested and are currently detained at the headquarters of the Lagos State Taskforce.
The chaos resulted in the destruction of goods worth millions of naira, as the hoodlums forced traders out of their shops. Several vehicles and tricycles were set on fire, causing disruptions to traffic on both sides of the Agege road.
According to witnesses, the conflict started Wednesday night when the owner of a lottery shop allegedly refused to pay a winning amount of N14,000 to one of the hoodlums. Despite numerous attempts to resolve the dispute, the situation escalated.
Confirming the incident, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed that over 50 suspects were arrested for their involvement in the unrest.