The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has on Thursday following the fight that claimed properties at the popular Mile 12 market imposed a curfew on the market and on four other streets in the area.
Governor Ambode, announcing the imposed curfew at the State House in Ikeja said; “In order to further restore calm in the community, I have ordered that the Mile 12 market be temporarily shut and urge traders and other stakeholders to eschew violence and be law abiding. Furthermore, I have ordered temporary restriction of movement in four streets-Oniyanrin, Maidan, Agiliti 1 and Agiliti 2 streets.”
He further thanked the Police and other security officials who were called in to restore peace to the area. He urged the inhabitants of the affected area to live as one while sending out a note of warning to the hoodlums who perpetrated the act that they will be decisively dealt with.
“After their intervention, the dispute appeared to have subsided. Today, I have just been informed that some hoodlums and criminal elements have exploited that dispute to cause a breakdown of law and order in the community. This type of clash does occur from time to time in a multi-ethnic city like Lagos. And the government has always responded appropriately.
“The public is thereby assured that we will not shy away from our responsibilities to protect life and property in the state. we will deal decisively with those criminal elements involved in the clash. I have been assured by the commissioner of police and other security agencies at the scene that the situation has been brought under control.
“I want to assure residents of Lagos State that the state is home to every ethnic group. No one should give this clash any ethnic colouration. Every law abiding citizen should go about their businesses.”