5 injured, as election deepens Ladipo Market crisis

No fewer than five persons were injured as two groups of traders in Ladipo Market clashed over the just-concluded governorship election in Lagos State.

It was gathered that a vice chairman of an automobile association allegedly led a group of armed hoodlums to harass traders and passers-by.

The traders called on Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kayode Aderanti, to come to their rescue as their lives were under threat for refusing to support the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Mr. Christopher Nzeribe, a trader, said: “They have told us that they would make the market uncomfortable for those of us that did not support the PDP governorship candidate in Lagos State.

“We urged the state government to call the executives of the market to order, because majority of us who were traders in the market were only looking for our daily bread.”

Another trader, who simply identified himself as Okafor, said: “Before the 2015 general elections, there was peace and harmony among the traders in the market. The executives of the market have been intimidating and harassing us for supporting the candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, since after the election. We cannot trade and walk freely in the market any more.

“Five traders are lying critically ill at a private hospital receiving treatment for the injury they sustained from the attacked unleashed on them by the hoodlums of the executives.”

A woman that sells drinks, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “What I am witnessing as a trader in the market is becoming unbearable as all my assorted drinks were carted away by the hoodlums loyal to the central market executives.”

When Vanguard visited the market, Policemen from Alakara Division and OP-MESA were on ground to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

When the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Kenneth Nwsosu, was contacted on the incident, he promised to call back. At press time, he had not called.