Lagos State Governor, Ambode Akinwunmi Speaks on Ethnic War Between the Hausa’s and Yoruba’s says Lagos is Home to every Tribe & Ethnic Group.

An ethnic tussle at the popular Mile 12 Market in Lagos led to the death of atleast five persons and several others including police officers were also injured, just as buildings were razed.

The clash, which grounded business activities and hampered traffic flow for over three hours reportedly started on Wednesday night.


Trouble started on Thursday morning after members of the Hausa community in the market stormed the Agiliti area to avenge the death of a motorcyclist.

A Yoruba man assaulted the unnamed motorcyclist with a cutlass and he died on Thursday morning.

The deceased Hausa man reportedly had an altercation with hoodlums and as he tried to drive off, he unknowingly hit the woman. Which infuriated the Yoruba man.

Speaking on the crisis the Lagos State governor has called out to all Lagosian to remain calm over the incident as Lagos is home to every tribe & ethnic group. Nobody should give this disturbance any ethnic coloration whatsoever. He said.

However, he has ordered the temporary closure of Mile 12 market in order to restore calmness to Ketu. He announced on twitter.

Statement delivered by the governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode over the disturbance.

"Good afternoon.

 Yesterday there was a dispute between members of the Mile 12 Community in Ketu.

The Police and other security services were called in to restore calm and order in the community and the dispute appeared to have subsided.

Today, I have just been informed that some miscreants and criminal elements have exploited that dispute to cause a breakdown of law and order within the area.

These type of clashes do occur from time to time in a multi-ethnic city like Lagos and the Government has always responded appropriately. The public is hereby assured that we will not shy away from our responsibilities to protect lives and property and will deal decisively with those criminal elements who fan embers of ethnic strife.

 I have been assured by the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies who are on ground at the scene that the situation has been substantially brought under control.

 In order to further restore calm, I have ordered that mile 12 market be temporarily closed and urge traders, community leaders and other stakeholders to eschew violence and be calm and law abiding.

Furthermore, I have also ordered a temporary restriction of movement within the following streets:

1. Oniyanri Street
2. Maidan Street
3. Agiliti 1
4. Agiliti 2

Let me assure Lagosians that the state is home to every tribe and ethnic group and nobody should give this disturbance any ethnic coloration whatsoever.

Every law abiding citizen should go about their business.

Thank you."