Four dead, as land grabbers clash with traders, mechanics in Lagos

Land grabbers clash with traders and mechanics in Owode Onirin, Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State has resulted in the death of four people and several others sustaining injuries.

Penpushing reports that the incident occurred on Wednesday when a businessman, escorted by armed men, allegedly ordered hoodlums to forcibly evacuate shop owners and mechanics from the site.

The witnesses said the two separate violent clashes disrupted business activities and the areas, while attempt by the hoodlums sparked resistance, and what began as an argument escalated into a shootout.

Penpushing further reports that the witnesses added that angry traders later blocked the main road in and out of Owode Onirin in protest, leaving motorists stranded for hours, adding that at least three traders were gunned down while others, including a policeman, sustained injuries.

The Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the incident on his X handle, explaining that Commissioner of Police Olohundare Moshood personally led a joint team of mobile police, Rapid Response Squad, tactical units and detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to restore order.

Penpushing also reports that Hundeyin stated that a preliminary investigation linked the clash to Abiodun Ariori, Chief Executive Officer of Prosperous Ariori Golden Venture Limited, adding that he has been declared wanted, while all efforts to arrest him have failed.

The police spokesperson equally confirmed that four policemen allegedly brought into Lagos by Ariori had been detained for illegal duty and placed under orderly room trial, just as source stated that in a separate incident, violence erupted at Balogun Market on Lagos Island.

Penpushing reports that the sources disclosed that there was a quarrel between two middlemen (Osuaiya) over the sharing of money from a completed transaction turned deadly, adding that the dispute suddenly spiralled into a fight between the two men.

The sources said one reportedly from the Yoruba ethnic group and the other from the Igbo, explaining that bottles were broken and knives drawn.

“One of them stabbed the other in the chest. Before long, people rushed in, and the man who carried out the stabbing was beaten and stabbed to death in retaliation. Many others were seriously injured and rushed to the hospital. By evening, the number of casualties could rise’, the sources added

Penpushing further reports that traders who identified themselves as Mike Nwokike and Fidelis Mouka, alleged that the fight took on an ethnic colour, adding that Yoruba man stabbed the Igbo man, who retaliated and killed him

‘The Yoruba man stabbed the Igbo man, who retaliated and killed him. Then the crowd turned on the Igbo man, lynched him, and later some shops belonging to Igbo traders were looted’, the sources said.

Penpushing also reports that another trader Saliu Lamidi disputed that account, stating that it was simply jungle justice and was not about tribes, stressing that two men fought over money, and one killed the other, while the killer was dealt with on the spot.

‘As the confusion spread, armed youths, believed to be miscreants, reportedly stormed parts of the market, forcing traders and customers to flee. By mid-afternoon, the market was still tense as traders searched for missing workers and family members.’

Penpushing reports that Lagos State Police Command, Public Relations Officer, however, dismissed reports of an ethnic conflict or multiple deaths, stating that only one person, Sodiq Ibrahim from Kogi State, was confirmed dead after being stabbed by Ebuka Adindu from Abia State, who later stabbed himself in the shoulder and collapsed, and has since been arrested

“The command wishes to state clearly that this was not a tribal clash but a fight involving hoodlums and miscreants. There was no loss of innocent lives or destruction of traders’ goods’, Hundeyin added.

Penpushing further reports that the police spokesperson said as at the time of filing this report normalcy has since returned to Balogun Market and Owode Onirin, and urged residents to go about their lawful businesses without fear.

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