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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
There was palpable apprehension around Ile Epo market in Alimoso Local Government Area of Lagos State, following a clash that led to the burning of stalls and goods.
It was gathered that crisis begun on Wednesday night following a rift over a game of lotto.
A trader, it was learnt, who is from the northern region of the country, played the popular game and won a certain amount of money.
However, when the trader walked to the lotto vendor to claim his money, there was a disagreement over the exact amount won.
The altercation between the trader and the lotto vendor was said to have snowballed into an ethnic squabble and a free-for-all fight which was hijacked by hoodlums.
Fire was set to a section of the market amid the faceoff, leaving traders and customers scampering for safety. Also, shops were looted and burnt as tempers flared.
The fight continued on Thursday morning before police officers were mobilised to the scene.
Some persons were said to have sustained injuries during the fracas.
All the shops in the market have been closed down, with policemen patrolling the neighbourhood to maintain law and order.
