Over fifty suspects have been arrested in connection with a clash between hoodlums and youths at Ile-Epo, in the Alimosho local government area of Lagos state, which left many people seriously injured and shops set on fire.
It was gathered that fighting ensued between the two parties on Wednesday night following a disagreement over the amount paid to an undisclosed Hausa man in a betting game.
The said Hausa man who claimed he was shortchanged was said to have attacked the man in charge of the betting game, resulting in the fracas, which was highjacked by hoodlums.
It was gathered that the street urchins (thugs) cashed in on the fracas and looted food stuffs at the popular Ile-Epo food stuff market as the fight continued on Thursday morning, while some stalls crammed with goods were set on fire.
Police operatives from the Lagos State Police Command, who visited the scene on Thursday morning arrested over 50 suspects in connection with the clash.
Benjamin Hundeyin, the Lagos State Police Command’s spokesman, confirmed the arrests in a statement on Thursday, adding that normalcy has been restored to the area.
The statement read: “Following reports of clashes among some youths and hoodlums in the Ile-Epo area of Lagos State, the DPO Oke-Odo swiftly led his men to the scene, and have since restored normalcy.
“Over fifty suspects have so far been arrested while the shanties they occupied have been destroyed, effectively dislodging them.
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Adegoke Fayoade, mni has directed the prompt prosecution of the arrested hoodlums and has equally warned that the Command would decisively deal with anyone found breaching the peace, in accordance with the law.
“Meanwhile, the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations), Area Commander Alagbado and other Divisional Police Officers under the Area Command are currently on ground to forestall further breakdown of law and order.”