Death Recorded, Angry Igbo Traders Clash with Lagos Big Boy, Monday Ijoba, Group

One person has been confirmed dead as traders at the Ladipo Market in the Oshodi area of Lagos, on Thursday protested against alleged continuous extortion by one Monday Ijoba.

It was learnt that Ijoba and his gang members were reportedly employed by the local government authority in the area to collect charges from the traders.

Displaying placards: “Monday, enough is enough”, among others, the traders chanted war songs. The market is dominated by Igbo, who sell spare parts, electronics and others.

It was learnt that policemen and soldiers mobilised to the scene, but some of the protesters reportedly fired gunshots to chase them away.

According to Punch, a trader, whose identity had yet to be identified, was hit by a stray bullet and died, while some others were injured.

Monday Ijoba’s boys had attacked a trader, who challenged them on the extortion last week. The trader was seriously injured and was said to have died.

The trader’s death was said to have caused the Thursday’s protest, which started around 9am, and paralyzed all commercial activities in the market.

The rioters openly hurled bottles and other weapons at Ijoba’s gang members.

The fracas lasted for a few hours before the security operatives were able to restore normalcy to the area.

A trader, who identified himself as Chibuzor, said Monday Ijoba had been chased out of the market, adding that he would not be allowed to lord it over them.

But another trader, who identified himself only as Emeka, urged the state government to intervene in the tussle to forestall further breakdown of law and order.

He said, “As long as Monday (Ijoba) insists that he is in control of the market, peace will not reign because people do not want him. I just want the government to come in and settle the matter amicably. We cannot afford to lose more persons to this protest.”

Lagos police commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, has invited all the parties to his office to resolve the issues.