A violent clash erupted at Mandilas Market on Lagos Island Wednesday, leaving one person dead after an argument spiraled out of control.
Police have confirmed the arrest of a suspect while assuring residents that calm has been restored.
Eyewitnesses said the fight broke out between two young traders following a heated disagreement over how to share earnings from a recent job.
What began as a verbal dispute quickly escalated into violence, with one of the men allegedly stabbing the other.
The victim, whose name was yet to be released at press time, was rushed to a nearby hospital but did not survive.
The alleged attacker was reportedly beaten by bystanders before being handed over to the police.
Confirming the incident, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said:
“One person was fatally injured during the clash. The suspect has been arrested and normalcy has been restored to the area.”
However, tension lingered as friends of the deceased expressed anger over the tragedy, sparking brief skirmishes that disrupted the usually busy Mandilas trading hub.
Traders said many shops were forced to close as panic spread through the market.
According to eyewitness accounts, the dispute was unexpected as both traders were known to have previously worked together.
“No one believed something this small could end in death,” one witness said.
Meanwhile, the police have increased patrols around Mandilas Market to prevent further violence and reassure traders of their safety.
The Lagos State Command also urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified claims about the clash.
This incident comes at a time when concerns about market violence in Lagos have been rising.
Disputes over land, money, and trading space have previously triggered clashes in several markets across the state.
However, Hundeyin reiterated that investigations were ongoing, while assuring that the suspect would be prosecuted:
“The police remain committed to ensuring justice in this matter. Residents should go about their activities without fear.”
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