Armed thugs on Monday invaded some markets in Nigeria’s commercial centre of Lagos, attacking traders in the process, hours after it emerged that Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, defeated the former Governor of Lagos State and All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Saturday’s Presidential election,
Markets allegedly invaded include Ladipo auto parts market, Balogun and Ebute-Ero on the Lagos Island and Mainland.
Meanwhile, the APC candidate, Tinubu, appealed to Lagos residents to be calm and eschew any act that can lead to the breakdown of law and order.
According to Tinubu, the outcome of the election in Lagos where Labour Party won the presidential election should not be a source of provocation saying that the beauty of democracy is that people have a right to vote for the candidate of their choice.
Tinubu said as a democrat he is bound to accept the outcome of any election whether favourable or not.
In a statement released Monday by the Presidential Campaign Council signed by Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu expressed serious concerns over reports of violence in parts of the state especially reported attacks on some traders of Igbo origin.
The former Lagos State Governor condemned any form of violence against people of any ethnic group in Lagos.
“The fact that the APC narrowly lost Lagos State to another party should not be the reason for violence. As a democrat, you win some, you lose some. We must allow the process to continue unhindered across the country while we maintain peace and decorum,” the statement said.
Those affected alleged that some of the thugs broke into shops and made away with goods.
Some traders were said to have sustained injuries while trying to flee from the area.
James Onwuaman, a trader at Balogun Market, Lagos Island alleged that he sustained injuries during the attack.
According to him, they received threat messages on Sunday, warning them to stay away from the market.
Another trader at the same market who identified himself simply as Benjamin said traders were watching how events of the day would unfold.
“They can’t deny us access into our business places,” he said.
There is apprehension in markets like Computer Village, in Ikeja and Alaba International and Trade fair markets – both in Ojo.
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, however dismissed the claims of the attacks.
“The traders agreed to close shop on Sunday and Monday. The thugs only came to enforce the agreement,” he added.