Several Killed In Soldiers-Touts Clash At Ladipo Market

*We’re Investigating, Say NAF, Army

Clash on Tuesday between soldiers and ticket touts at the
popular Ladipo auto spare parts market in Lagos has left a number
of persons dead, According to TheNation report.

But the casualty figure is uncertain.

While some said three persons were killed by the soldiers,
others put the figure at five.

A trader said, “Some soldiers came here and started shooting
directly at us. They aimed at us, one of them even positioned well
to get a good view of the target before shooting.”

Many were reported injured.

The Nation gathered that a fight ensued between soldiers of the
Operation MESA and suspected area boys said to be in charge of
ticketing which led to the soldiers shooting.

Another account said personnel of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF)
opened fire on traders following a disagreement over an article
bought from a trader.

A fight ensued and the military man called for backup from his
colleagues.

A mechanic said a military patrol vehicle was vandalised and set
ablaze by a mob.

Another eyewitness told The Nation that a young boy was among
those killed while four others sustained gunshot injuries and were
rushed to hospital.

A man, who gave his name as Paul, said they scampered for safety
when they started hearing gunshots.

“We were here at our shops when soldiers came and started
shooting. We all ran for our lives but some of our brothers were
killed, others got injured.

“What we heard was that one of the soldiers had tried to return
an item he got from a shop and that was what led to the scuffle,”
he said.

Another trader, Emeka who claimed his brother was among those
killed, decried the unfair treatment meted to them by the
operatives.

“My brother has been killed. The operatives intentionally shot
at us instead of shooting towards the sky. I even saw one of the
operatives who positioned himself in order to get a good view of
his target before shooting.

“A young boy was also among those killed,” he lamented and
declined further comments.

A beverage seller, Iya Rukaya, confirmed a young boy was killed
but added that she did not know how many people died.

At the time our reporter visited, calm has been restored
although broken bottles could still be seen on the ground.

Most shops were closed while traders still around were in
clusters discussing the incident. Also, there was no presence of
policemen or military operatives on sight.

The Air Force denied that its operatives killed anyone at the
scene, insisting they acted professionally and in response to a
distress call.

The Force one person died.

NAF spokesman Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet told The Nation that
the service’s personnel attached to the Operation (OPs) MESA were
in the market in response to a distress call.

He said a call was put across by traders about a fight going on
between a soldier of the Nigerian Army (NA) and a civilian
debtor.

Gabkwet said upon receipt of the call, the team moved to the
market but were attacked by angry traders who pelted them with
stones.

“Two of our operatives sustained injuries,” he said, adding, “We
are going to investigate the incident to know what really
happened.”

The spokesman for Nigerian Army’s 81 Division, Major Olaniyi
Osoba also said the matter was being investigated.

*We’re Investigating, Say NAF, Army

Clash on Tuesday between soldiers and ticket touts at the
popular Ladipo auto spare parts market in Lagos has left a number
of persons dead, According to TheNation report.

But the casualty figure is uncertain.

While some said three persons were killed by the soldiers,
others put the figure at five.

A trader said, “Some soldiers came here and started shooting
directly at us. They aimed at us, one of them even positioned well
to get a good view of the target before shooting.”

Many were reported injured.

The Nation gathered that a fight ensued between soldiers of the
Operation MESA and suspected area boys said to be in charge of
ticketing which led to the soldiers shooting.

Another account said personnel of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF)
opened fire on traders following a disagreement over an article
bought from a trader.

A fight ensued and the military man called for backup from his
colleagues.

A mechanic said a military patrol vehicle was vandalised and set
ablaze by a mob.

Another eyewitness told The Nation that a young boy was among
those killed while four others sustained gunshot injuries and were
rushed to hospital.

A man, who gave his name as Paul, said they scampered for safety
when they started hearing gunshots.

“We were here at our shops when soldiers came and started
shooting. We all ran for our lives but some of our brothers were
killed, others got injured.

“What we heard was that one of the soldiers had tried to return
an item he got from a shop and that was what led to the scuffle,”
he said.

Another trader, Emeka who claimed his brother was among those
killed, decried the unfair treatment meted to them by the
operatives.

“My brother has been killed. The operatives intentionally shot
at us instead of shooting towards the sky. I even saw one of the
operatives who positioned himself in order to get a good view of
his target before shooting.

“A young boy was also among those killed,” he lamented and
declined further comments.

A beverage seller, Iya Rukaya, confirmed a young boy was killed
but added that she did not know how many people died.

At the time our reporter visited, calm has been restored
although broken bottles could still be seen on the ground.

Most shops were closed while traders still around were in
clusters discussing the incident. Also, there was no presence of
policemen or military operatives on sight.

The Air Force denied that its operatives killed anyone at the
scene, insisting they acted professionally and in response to a
distress call.

The Force one person died.

NAF spokesman Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet told The Nation that
the service’s personnel attached to the Operation (OPs) MESA were
in the market in response to a distress call.

He said a call was put across by traders about a fight going on
between a soldier of the Nigerian Army (NA) and a civilian
debtor.

Gabkwet said upon receipt of the call, the team moved to the
market but were attacked by angry traders who pelted them with
stones.

“Two of our operatives sustained injuries,” he said, adding, “We
are going to investigate the incident to know what really
happened.”

The spokesman for Nigerian Army’s 81 Division, Major Olaniyi
Osoba also said the matter was being investigated.