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The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a man, Ebuka Adindu, for allegedly stabbing Sodiq Ibrahim to death during a violent confrontation in the Mandillas, Ebute Meta area of Lagos on Wednesday.
A social media user, @JackFleet, who first raised the alarm on X.com, wrote, “There’s a fracas going on presently in Lagos Island, Madillas to be precise.
“Two guys were fighting, and it resulted in the death of one of them. Right now, street urchins have taken the law into their hands, stabbing innocent people on the street.”
Reacting to the post, the command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, dismissed the claim that miscreants had taken over the area.
“Your claim of street urchins taking over the street is false. Please do not cause unnecessary panic. DPOs Lion Building and Ebute-Ero are currently on the ground with their men, maintaining the restored peace.
“Also, the suspect has been arrested and is in custody for further necessary actions,” Hundeyin stated in a post on Wednesday.
In a follow-up message to PUNCH Metro on Wednesday, Hundeyin clarified that the incident was not a tribal clash, as was being speculated.
“The Lagos State Police Command hereby wishes to inform the general public that there was no tribal clash or disturbance between any ethnic groups and others inside Balogun Market today.
“There was an incident of a free-for-all between some hoodlums and miscreants in the Balogun Market in the early hours of today at around 11 am.
“During the fight, one Ebuka Adindu from Abia State stabbed one Sodiq Ibrahim from Kogi State to death, and the said Ebuka Adindu in turn stabbed himself on the shoulder and became unconscious.
“He is currently under arrest in the hospital, where he is being treated. Investigation into the matter will be concluded, and he will be prosecuted after he has been discharged from the hospital,” Hundeyin explained.
The police stressed that no innocent lives were lost, no other injuries were recorded, and no goods or property in the market were destroyed.
The statement read, “The Lagos State Police Command wishes to reiterate that the incident is not a tribal clash but purely between miscreants and hoodlums around the Balogun Market. Normalcy has been restored.
“Marketers and the general public on the Island and other parts of Lagos State are encouraged to go about their businesses and other lawful endeavours without fear or apprehension.”
Hundeyin, quoting the state Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, called on Lagos State residents “to remain law-abiding and cooperate with the police command to sustain existing peace in the state and not to spread fear in the mind of the public, as Lagos is generally peaceful.”
