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.
--Vanguard