By Gideon Ajayi
A yet-to-be-identified Yoruba boy has reportedly died after a fight broke out at the Mandila Market in Lagos Island on Wednesday.
Eyewitnesses said the fight allegedly occurred between an Igbo boy and a Yoruba boy.
Sources disclosed that the duo were arguing over how to share the proceeds of an undisclosed business when the Igbo boy allegedly brought out a knife and stabbed the Yoruba boy to death.
It was gathered that the Igbo boy was immediately attacked by nearby people, beaten, and later handed over to the police.
Another eyewitness explained that the situation later degenerated into a riot after the suspect had been taken into custody, as some friends of the victim clashed with another unidentified group of boys.
Reacting to the incident, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement, clarified that there was no tribal clash or ethnic conflict at Balogun Market, where the incident occurred.
Hundeyin confirmed that it was a free-for-all fight involving hoodlums and miscreants at the market.
He explained that one Ebuka Adindu from Abia State stabbed one Sodiq Ibrahim from Kogi State to death. According to him, the suspect also stabbed himself on the shoulder, became unconscious, and is currently under arrest at a hospital where he is receiving treatment.
Hundeyin assured that investigations into the matter will be concluded and the suspect will be prosecuted once discharged.
The police spokesperson further emphasized that no innocent lives were lost, no persons were injured, and no goods or properties belonging to traders inside Balogun Market were damaged.
He confirmed that normalcy has been restored and urged residents and traders to continue their activities without fear.