Nigeria, March 4, 2016 – The Lagos State Government today met with major stakeholders from Mile 12 market, Agiliti community, Maidan and its environs with a view towards finding a lasting solution to the violence that led to the closure of the Mile 12 market.
Team of the Lagos State Government met with the traders even as more problem erupted in the market today leading to the burning of a bakery in the area as Yoruba and Hausa leader clashed in the area.
Secretary to the State Government, Tunji Bello who presided over the meeting said the leaders agreed on the need to cohabit in peace irrespective of their religion, culture or tribes and urged them to go back and maintain the peace stating that the State Government would consider the inputs of all those present in arriving at a decision.
The SSG who said the issue of disagreement is not new in the area said what is uppermost is that everybody should realize that the next person is his brother and that everyone at the meeting must leave with an open mind of cohabiting peacefully to avoid bloodletting.
He reiterated the directive of the State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode that the market remains closed and all trading activities should not take place to aid security agencies and restore calm to the affected areas.
He gave an assurance to the market leaders from Mile 12 that the State Government is studying the situation and would address all the issues that have arisen decisively with a view to ensuring that it does not recur again.
Speaking at the meeting, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr I.O Edgal who stood in for the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni said the Police High Command has secured the Agiliti area and its environs and peace has now returned to the community.
He said the clash and resultant loss of lives was very unfortunate and that going by the level of destruction on ground, it was not commensurate with what was reported to have precipitated the clash.
At least 10 people were killed during the onslaught, which eye witnesses say was precipitated by a motorbike (Okada) rider of Hausa extraction that hit an indigene of Lagos. His motorbike was reportedly seized, which forced the Okada rider to reinforce for the attack.
Other participants at the meeting include the Iyaloja of Mile 12 market, Alhaja Iyabo Ahmed, Baale of Maidan, Chief Baale Ogunjobi, Baale of Agiliti, Chief Jimoh Onikosi, Serikin Nupe, Alhaji Jibril Magaji, chairman, shukura yam, Alhaji Mohammed Damdana, Chairman of CDA Central, Elder M.A Showande were all resolute in appealing to the State Government to ensure that the issue is resolved on time so that they can go ahead with their various businesses.
Other Government functionaries in attendance include the Special Advisers to the Governor on Civic Engagement, Hon Kehinde Joseph, Community Development and Communication, Hon Kehinde Bamigbetan and Permanent Secretaries from Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr Fola Adeyemi and Cabinet Office ,Mr Olushola Odupitan.
