A night of violence and destruction hit Ile-Epo market in Lagos last night as hoodlums clashed, leaving the popular retail hub engulfed in flames by morning. Witnesses say the disturbances began around 9pm on Wednesday and continued into early Thursday as rival factions fought amongst each other.
According to trader Samuel Adebayo who runs a provisions store, gunshots and unrest escalated through the night before a fire eventually broke out around 2am. “There was a lot of shouting and arguing, then we started hearing gunfire. A few hours later the smell of smoke started filling the air,” he narrated.
By dawn, onlookers were shocked to see the entire market complex consumed by raging fires, with thick black smoke billowing up from the charred remains. Firefighters received multiple distress calls and arrived to find the inferno had already spread widely due to flammable goods like fabrics and chemicals stored throughout the warren of stalls and shops.
It took several hours for the fire service to bring the situation under control as the blaze resisted control attempts. No serious injuries have been reported so far, but the financial losses are estimated to run into millions as the fire destroyed the livelihoods of hundreds of traders who have worked at the market for decades.
The cause of the initial fight between the rival groups is still unclear, with investigations ongoing. However, authorities have expressed grave concerns over rising lawlessness across the metropolis, urging communities to promote peaceful resolution of conflicts. For traders who have lost their means of sustenance, it will be a long road to recovery.
