The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of one Ebuka Adindu, accused of fatally stabbing Sodiq Ibrahim during a violent altercation in the Mandillas area of Lagos on Wednesday.
News of the incident first circulated online after a social media user, @JackFleet, raised alarm on X.com, writing:
“There’s a fracas going on presently in Lagos Island, Mandillas 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.”
Responding, police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin debunked claims of widespread violence:
“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 further clarified to PUNCH Metro that the confrontation was not ethnic-related:
“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.”
The police also stressed that no other casualties or damage occurred:
“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.”
Quoting the state Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, Hundeyin urged 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.”
Advertisement
