What Led To The Dispute At Lagos Balogun Market?

A violent clash broke out at the Balogun Market on Lagos Island on Wednesday, 27th August, when a scuffle between two traders escalated into violence, leaving one dead and another hospitalized.

Eyewitnesses said the altercation involved Sodiq Ibrahim, a trader from Kogi State, and Ebuka Adindu, from Abia State, both members of a group popularly referred to as Oso Ahia (loosely translated as “market hustlers”). The group is known for helping shop owners attract customers in exchange for a commission.

According to traders, the fight broke out after a shop owner gave the two men ₦8,000 to share as their commission for bringing in a customer. What started as an argument over how the money should be split quickly escalated into a violent confrontation.

How The Dispute Escalated

Witnesses reported that during the quarrel, the disagreement turned physical. Accounts suggest that bottles and knives were used in the fight, leading to Ibrahim sustaining fatal injuries. He reportedly bled to death at the scene, while Adindu also stabbed himself in the shoulder during the scuffle and was later rushed to a hospital under police custody.

Traders at the scene insisted that the clash was not connected to ethnic rivalry, despite speculation circulating on social media. One of the traders explained.

“It was simply over the commission money. They had both brought in the same customer, and the shop owner gave them ₦8,000 to share. That was all. Sadly, it ended in tragedy.”

Police And Market Reactions

The Lagos State Police Command confirmed the incident, noting that Adindu is currently receiving treatment under arrest and will be charged in court once discharged. Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin emphasized that investigations are ongoing but dismissed claims of ethnic tension.

Following the incident, commercial activities at Balogun Market were briefly disrupted as shops closed out of fear. However, business resumed the following day. Traders also disclosed that the decision has been taken to stop allowing Oso Ahia members to operate within the market in order to prevent future disputes.

“This was the first violent incident here in years. There is no tribal problem; it was about money,” another trader said.