Many Wounded As Ladipo Traders, Mortuary Workers Clash

Many traders were wounded on Wednesday, March 12, 2015 at Ladipo Market in Mushin, Lagos, western Nigeria, following a bloody clash that ensued between the traders and some mortuary attendants in the area.

According to P.M NEWS report, the clash was as a result of a parallel executive allegedly formed by the mortuary attendants.
It was reported that  guns, machetes and axes were freely used during the clash which led to the market to be temporary closed before the police intervened and restored peace.
The fighting which paralysed activities in the market was between the leadership of the market’s central body called Ladipo Auto Central Executive, LACEC and mortuary attendants led by one Monday Lawrence.
It was gathered that some mortuary attendants printed some receipts and started collecting park and toll fees and allocating spaces on the roadside and collecting other tolls accruing to LACEC in the market.

Ladipo Market in Lagos.

An attempt by a LACEC task force member identified as Ndubuisi to stop them resulted in the bloody clash after other taskforce members who saw what happened  to Ndubuisi, regrouped and a serious fighting broke out.
A visit to the market by newsmen showed that the whole area was rowdy and some traders shut their shops and left the market.
Also, operatives of the State Anti-Robbery Squad  deployed to restore peace were seen in their vehicle at the market.
At least eight people were arrested. Efforts to speak with the outgoing president, Mr Ikechukwu Animalu and Lawrence who is the leader of the new group proved abortive as their phones were switched off.
The welfare officer of  LACEC, Chief Ajuluchukwu Ezeanya, who confirmed the incident, promised to speak later on the matter.
It would be recalled that the market some weeks ago conducted an election which produced new executives led by Comrade Kinsley Ogunor as President.
With the emergence of the new group led by Lawrence, who also participated in the election, it means two executives have emerged in the market.