Communal Crisis Rocks Ile Epo Market, As Shops Are Been Burnt, Properties Destroyed

By Akinwale Kasali

Shop owners, traders and residents of Ile Epo at Agbado Oke Odo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State are counting their loses, as properties, good and homes worth hundreds of millions in Naira has been burnt down by irate youths who have engaged each other in a fight since yesterday night.

It was gathered that for weeks now, there have been a brewing crisis between the Hausas and Yorubas at the popular Ile Epo Market, which escalated to a Street fight among residents who are sympathetic to each of the tribes.

This engulfed into a Communal Fight that lasted all through the night till this morning.

There was bonfire at every area in the community, with Shops and Houses

been set on fire.

Visiting the area which has become a shadow of itself as wild fire was seen in the market with the two sides burning anything on sight and also attacking each other.

As at the time of filing this report, it was gathered that there had been several casualties, with some of the victims rushed to Ile Epo General Hospital, while some of the causalities that sustained several degrees of injuries were rushed to some Private Hospitals.

The reason for the communal war is yet to be ascertained at this period, but some Policemen attached to Ile Epo Police Station who claimed anonymity said they had called for reinforcement to salvage the situation as their Men were on ground shielding some of the irate youths from both sides from wrecking more havoc.

One of the shop owners who wept uncontrollably said that she just bought goods to restock her shop on Monday, sadly, the shop had been set on fire.

The area is presently deserted as everyone had scamper for safety.

Policemen and other security agents could be seen roaming the market and the area, but the irate youths are still wrecking havoc with a reprisal attack in the offing.