Soldiers Deployed to Mile12 "Underbridge" To Avert Ethnic Violence

Residents of Mile12 and motorists going towards Ikorodu were surprised to find soldiers stationed under the bridge at West Africa's largest agricultural market on Tuesday night, without any trace of the thugs that normally occupied the venue to engage in criminal and illegitimate activities. 

Instead of the usual traffic gridlock, disorder and abnormal environment chiefly created by okada riders, thugs and commercial vehicles, those returning from work met armed soldiers at Underbridge with a smooth flow of traffic, creating the image of the former, normal Lagos while some people were wondering if a coup had taken place. However, the presence of some petty traders at the scene allayed the fears of passers-by. 

A young man selling food close to the bus stop said the soldiers were there to help forestall reprisal attacks as a result of the killing of innocent Christians in a Catholic church on Sunday, in Owo, Ondo State.

"Those thugs that normally occupy the bridge attacked and killed 4 Hausa traders as a response to the killing of Yoruba Christians in Ondo State on Sunday."

"The head of the Hausa community here had vowed that they would carry out counter-attacks. After a meeting with the security operatives, they insisted that the thugs vacate the bridge"

"Hopefully, that would help to prevent a wider violent conflict. As you know, when the Hausas start, theirs might be worse and they would likely attack innocent citizens."

The veracity of the report could not be immediately confirmed as the area appeared "normal" even in the morning.

Image Source: Pixabay