Lockdown on Lagos-Abeokuta expressway as Yoruba, Hausa traders clash

A clash between Yoruba and Hausa traders at Oke-Odo market along the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway has led to a traffic lockdown in the area.

Vehicles heading to Lagos from Sango in Ogun state and those moving to Abule-Egba from Oshodi and other parts of the state have been trapped.

A resident told TheCable that trouble started last night when traders at the market where food items are sold clashed over a yet to be known issue.

The situation reportedly escalated on Sunday morning when aggrieved traders started burning wares and make-shift tents.

Security operatives are currently trying to restore normalcy in the market.

Bala Elkana, police public relations officer in Lagos, told TheCable that the situation had been brought under control.

“It started as a fight between Hausa scavengers and some cultists known as Awawa boys that almost snowballed into ethnic crisis,” he said.

“Our timely intervention brought the situation under control and stopped the crisis from escalating. Normalcy has since been restored. Patrols are ongoing in the affected areas. No casualty figure available yet. We are investigating the cause of the fight.”