The police averted what would have turned to a major ethnic crisis in Oke Odo area of Lagos-Abeokuta area of Lagos State following a clash between scavengers and area boys.
Five suspects were arrested and the crisis was quelled.
It took the reinforcement by the police to restore normalcy.
The clash caused gridlock along the expressway.
Although no life was lost, four people were said to be injured and receiving treatment.
The statement by the spokesman of the Lagos State Police Command, DSP Bala Elkana, giving details reads:
On 18th of August, 2019, at about 10.00 a.m., one Alhaji Adekunle Habib ‘m’ of Ilepo Market reported at Oke Ode Police Station that there was a misunderstanding between one Hausa scavenger and an Area Boy from Yoruba ethnic group.
The area boy was carrying some goods on his head and was pushed by the Hausa boy in error and the goods fell down.
Arguments ensued between the two parties which led to exchange of blows.
Friends of the two parties joined in solidarity fight and other miscreants took advantage of the moment to steal and loot.
They blocked Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway.
What started as a fight between two miscreants almost snowballed into ethnic crises, if not for the timely intervention of the Police.
Police teams from Oke Odo Division were the initial responders.
The Command sent reinforcements from the Operations Department, Rapid Response Squads, Taskforce, Tactical Units and Police Mobile Force.
Divisions within the Area Command equally sent reinforcements.
The situation was brought under control and traffic cleared.
No death recorded but four persons sustained various degrees of injuries and are receiving medical attention.
Five suspects namely, Kabiru Mohammed m’, Kabiru Adamu ‘m’, Bashiru Mohammed ‘m, Saliu Madu ‘m’ and Yusuf Amuda ‘m’ were arrested in connection with the breach of peace.
Normalcy has been restored and patrols are ongoing in the affected areas.
Suspects will be charged to court.
