Image; SaharaReporters.
Suspected political thugs, early on Wednesday, set fire to the Akere auto spare parts market in the Apapa Ajegunle area of Lagos State.
The armed arsonists attacked the market around 2 am on Wednesday, killing a security guard and two other persons before burning down the market.
Several others were also injured in the attack.
In a video of the incident received by SaharaReporters, a man who knows about the incident said, “A security man and two other guys were shot dead and they have gone to bury them immediately.”
A Red Cross official at the scene also confirmed that the market was razed down but he did not give further details on who the culprits were.
However, Police in Lagos confirmed that one person died in the incident.
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Benjamin Hundeyin also said that one suspect has been arrested over the murder and arson attack, Daily Sun reports.
The PPRO said, “All I can confirm is that there was a fire incident at Akere Market, Tolu.
“It is being suspected to be arson. One person was killed but a suspect was arrested.
"I can't say who owns the shops that were burnt, the identities of the owners are not yet known to ascertain if they are indigenes or non-indigenes.
"The case has been transferred to State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for proper investigation,” PPRO Hundeyin noted.
Social media reactions
Image: Daily Sun.
Some people have been reacting online to the incident.
An online user, identified as Frazee, said, “Akere spare parts market old Apapa is not so big because it’s in a residential area. So you have about two to three Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) members guarding the market at night. Igbos have become a target during this period.
“Politicians are using brainwashed people to foment trouble. Burning people's means of livelihood just because of a stupid agenda is the lowest. In less than four months, the market will stand again, the people are so cooperative and financially strong.”
“So it is just one security man that secures such a market? The Igbos in Lagos need to be more vigilant and security awake. The enemies of good governance are not going to be taking things easy with them.
Another online user, Pierocash added:
"This is a fight they must win. If they don't successfully dislodge Lagos from the grip of these evil cartels come the next gubernatorial poll, they will all be doomed,” according to SaharaReporters.
There have been threats by political thugs to burn down Igbo shops and markets in Lagos, following their support for the Labour Party which won the Presidential election of 25 February 2023 in Lagos in a landslide.
The thugs have also threatened to attack the Igbo in Lagos if they continue to support the Labour Party governorship candidate for Lagos state, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, to win in the election due on March 11, 2023.
Politics and Opinion.
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