Ambode closes Mile 12 market after civil unrest

Akinwunmi Ambode, governor of Lagos state, has ordered the temporary closure of the Mile 12 Market, following an unrest within the communities in Ketu-Mile 12 area of the state that has resulted in injury to an unspecified number of people.

Thursday’s clash between motorcycle riders and residents had been brewing since Tuesday, when a motorcycle rider moving against traffic allegedly knocked down a resident and then turned down all entreaties to take his victim to the hospital.

When emotions boiled on Thursday, it affected residents, transporters and even schools in the Mile 12 area.

In his response, the governor not only closed the market, he restricted movement in four streets in the area: Oniyanri, Maidan, Agiliti 1 and Agiliti 2 streets.

Addressing government house correspondents at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ambode said the decision to shut the market and restrict movement on the streets was to aid security agencies restore calm in the area.

“In order to further restore calm, I have ordered that Mile 12 Market be temporarily closed and urged traders, community leaders and other stakeholders to eschew violence; be calm and law-abiding,” he said.

“Today, I have just been informed that some miscreants and criminal elements have exploited that dispute to cause a breakdown of law and order within the area. These types of clashes do occur from time to time in a multi-ethnic city like Lagos and the government has responded appropriately.

“The public is hereby assured that we will not shy away from our responsibilities to protect lives and property and we will deal decisively with those criminal elements who fan the embers of ethnic strive.”

Ambode said he had received reports from the commissioner of police and other security agencies that the situation has been substantially put under control.

Reiterating that Lagos state would continue to be home to every Nigerian irrespective of their tribe or ethic affiliation, he said: “Let me assure Lagosians that the state is home to every tribe and ethnic group and nobody should give this disturbance any ethnic coloration whatsoever.

“Every law-abiding citizens should go about their normal businesses.”

Also speaking, Fatai Owoseni, the state commissioner of police, said the police had brought the situation under control. He denied reports that two persons were killed during the clash.

“The restriction is starting right away and it will be so until the situation normalizes completely. I was there personally I did not witness anybody killed,” he said.

“I was there all through before I came here. The situation is calm; people that were agitating have been cleared off the road. The roads are clear and as I am talking to you, substantial arrest has been made and I can assure the public that those involved in that violence will be brought to justice.”