Ile Epo: Police arrest 50 as hoodlums clash, set Lagos market on fire

At least 50 people have been arrested by the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Police following Wednesday night clash between Hausa youths and their Yoruba counterparts in the Ile Epo area of Agabdo/Oke Odo local council development area of Lagos State, where many people were injured.

The faceoff reportedly started from a misunderstanding over payment of a sporting bet won by one of the Hausa youths.

A resident, who pleaded anonymity, while speaking with Tribune newspaper said, “The trouble started on Wednesday when one of the Hausa boys won Bet9ja.

“The Bet9ja operator was said to have removed #2000 ( two thousand Naira) from the winning, leading the winner to mobilize his friends to attack the Bet9ja  shop.

The state command of the Nigeria Police confirmed the development, stating that normalcy had been restored to the area.

“Over fifty suspects have so far been arrested while the shanties they occupied have been destroyed, effectively dislodging them,” the spokesperson said.

“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Adegoke Fayoade, mni has directed the prompt prosecution of the arrested hoodlums and has equally warned that the Command would decisively deal with anyone found breaching the peace, in accordance with the law.

“Meanwhile, the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations), Area Commander Alagbado and other Divisional Police Officers under the Area Command are currently on ground to forestall further breakdown of law and order.”