Ile-Epo market clashes: Police arrest over 50 hoodlums, uncover drug den

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At least 50 hoodlums have been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command over the violence that erupted at Ile-Epo Market on Thursday morning.

Commotion erupted among rival groups of hoodlums Thursday morning in the Ile Epo market, leading to the setting of one part of the market on fire.

A statement by the state police command’s spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin, said normal activities have returned to the area.

According to the statement, “Following reports of clashes among some youths and hoodlums in the Ile-Epo area of Lagos State, the DPO Oke-Odo swiftly led his men to the scene, and have since restored normalcy.

“Over fifty suspects have so far been arrested while the shanties they occupied have been destroyed, effectively dislodging them.”

Hundeyin said the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Adegoke Fayoade, has directed the prompt prosecution of the arrested hoodlums and had equally warned that the Command would decisively deal with anyone found breaching the peace, in accordance with the law.

However, the statement said during the operation to dismantle the shanties, law enforcement officers stumbled upon a hidden drug den that had been operating in plain sight.

The police said the discovery indicated the extent of criminal activities in the area and raised concerns about the prevalence of drug-related issues.

Hundeyin added that the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations), Area Commander Alagbado and other Divisional Police Officers under the Area Command were currently on ground to forestall further breakdown of law and order.