Blood Bath In Lagos As Traders, Cemetery Workers Clash

Many traders were yesterday wounded in a bloody clash between Igbo traders at the popular Ladipo spare parts market located in Mushin area of the state and cemetery workers.

It was gathered that the clash between the groups erupted because the cemetery attendants near the market formed a parallel executive and took over the leadership of the market.

Our correspondent learnt that many traders were wounded following the clash in which guns, machetes and axes were freely used before the police later brought the situation under control.

In the ensuing crisis, the whole area was rowdy and some traders shut their shops and left the market to avert being caught in the cross-fire, given the fact that the cemetery workers were better prepared for the battle.

To quell the conflict, police officers were deployed at strategic locations in the market to prevent further fracas and avoidable deaths.

Stranded customers who came to buy parts in the market lamented that the market was gradually turning to a battle ground and unsafe for business.

They said last month, there was fighting in the market and eight workers were arrested and charged before an Ebutt Metta Magistrates Court for causing mayhem in the market dominated by Igbo auto spare parts traders.Click:INEC Ad-hoc Staff Protest Delay In Remuneration Payment

It was further gathered that the clash which paralysed activities in the market was between the leadership of the market's central body called Ladipo Auto Central Executive (LACEC) and cemetery attendants led by Monday Lawrence.

Traders said trouble started when some cemetery workers stormed the market with the aid of some military officers.

The workers started moving round the market and ringing bell to announce that the executive of the market has been dissolved and they were now in charge of the market.

They said fight erupted when LACEC task force members attempted to stop them, saying the cemetery workers had last month printed receipts and started collecting tolls from the traders which also resulted in fracas.

Speaking on the development, the president of LACEC, KIingsley Ogunor said the cemetery workers have been terrorising the traders, insisting that they must control the affairs of the market.