Calm returns to Alaba market after traders, ‘hoodlums’ clash over ‘car park location’

Calm has returned to the Alaba market in Lagos, following a clash between traders and suspected hoodlums.

Videos had surfaced earlier on Wednesday, showing people running helter-skelter, while some persons were wielding sticks and chanting.

Residents were also advised to stay away from the area.

Speaking to BBC, Emmanuel Amaife, an official of the market, said “touts” attempted to cause crisis over the location of where people could park their cars.

Several people were said to have been injured in the pandemonium that followed, while some vehicles were also reportedly destroyed.

Shops were also said to have been closed, before the arrival of security operatives.

Speaking later on the incident, Benjamin Hundeyin, Lagos police spokesman, said calm had been restored to the area.

“Alaba International Market is calm. Normalcy has been restored. @rrslagos767 and men of Ojo Division are on ground, under the supervision of Area Commander Festac, ACP Igbafe Afegbai. There is no cause for alarm as monitoring continues,” Hundeyin said in a post on Twitter.

Alaba International Market is calm. Normalcy has been restored. @rrslagos767 and men of Ojo Division are on ground, under the supervision of Area Commander Festac, ACP Igbafe Afegbai. There is no cause for alarm as monitoring continues.

— SP Benjamin Hundeyin (@BenHundeyin) October 19, 2022