A violent altercation at the Mandilas section of Balogun Market, Lagos Island, on Wednesday claimed the life of a trader and left another in police custody, triggering panic across the busy commercial district.
The clash, which broke out around 11 a.m., reportedly started as a disagreement over money between two traders identified as Ebuka Adindu and Sodiq Ibrahim. Eyewitnesses said the argument escalated quickly, with Adindu allegedly stabbing Ibrahim in the chest, killing him on the spot.
Videos circulating online captured disturbing scenes of the victim lying in a pool of blood while a mob descended on Adindu, beating and stripping him naked in an attempt at jungle justice.
The intervention of police officers from Lion Building and Ebute-Ero Divisions prevented the suspect from being lynched. He was rescued, placed in a patrol vehicle, and taken into custody.
Police: No ethnic clash, peace restored
Following the incident, rumours spread on social media suggesting that hoodlums had taken over the area and that the violence was linked to ethnic tensions. One post on X by user @JackFleet claimed that miscreants were “stabbing innocent people on the street.”
The Lagos State Police Command, however, dismissed the claims as false. In a statement, command spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed that the incident was an isolated dispute between the two traders and not a tribal clash.
“Your claim of street urchins taking over the street is false. Please do not cause unnecessary panic. DPOs Lion Building and Ebute-Ero are currently on the ground with their men, maintaining the restored peace,” Hundeyin said.
He added that the suspect, Adindu, stabbed himself in the shoulder during the scuffle and is receiving treatment under police guard. “He will be prosecuted after being discharged from the hospital,” Hundeyin stated.
‘Lagos remains peaceful’
The command emphasised that no other lives were lost, no injuries were reported beyond the two men involved, and no property was damaged.
“The incident is not a tribal clash but purely between miscreants and hoodlums around Balogun Market. Normalcy has been restored,” Hundeyin assured.
He quoted Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, as urging residents to remain calm and avoid spreading misinformation. “Lagos is generally peaceful. We encourage marketers and the public to go about their lawful businesses without fear,” the statement added.
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