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More information has emerged about the violent altercation in the Mandillas area of Lagos Island that led to the death of a trader, Sodiq Ibrahim, on Wednesday.
Findings on Thursday revealed that Ibrahim was allegedly stabbed by his colleague, Ebuka Adindu, following a dispute over the sharing of ₦8,000. The incident briefly disrupted commercial activity in the popular Balogun market, as many traders shut their shops before business resumed the following day.
Rumours suggesting the clash was ethnically motivated quickly spread on social media. However, the Lagos State Police Command dismissed such claims. Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin explained that Adindu, who hails from Abia State, fatally stabbed Ibrahim, from Kogi State, during the fight. He added that Adindu also stabbed himself on the shoulder and fell unconscious before being taken into custody at a hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment ahead of prosecution.
Further investigation showed that both men were members of a group known as Oso Ahia—loosely translated from Igbo as “market hustlers.” Their role, according to traders, is to escort customers around the market in exchange for a commission from shop owners. Trouble reportedly began when a shop owner gave them ₦8,000 to share after bringing in a customer.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that the argument escalated into violence. A trader, Funmi Arewa, told reporters that the disagreement started over how to split the money. “They began arguing, and in the middle of the fight, one of them stabbed the other. He probably didn’t mean to kill him, but sadly the boy bled to death,” she said.
Another trader, Moshood, echoed this account and dismissed speculation of tribal rivalry. “The fight started and ended with the Oso Ahia boys over commission. Everything is back to normal today. There’s no tribal issue here. It was money that caused the problem,” he said, adding that many shop owners have now decided to stop allowing hustlers into the market.
Abiola Shittu, another trader, clarified that Thursday’s temporary shop closures were due to the routine sanitation exercise, not the incident. He explained that the quarrel arose strictly from the sharing of tips: “The commission caused the argument, and they started stabbing each other. Sadly, the Yoruba boy died from the wound.”
Another witness, Chigozie, added that the fight escalated after Ibrahim allegedly stabbed Adindu with a bottle and fled. “Adindu chased after him with a knife and stabbed him in return, which led to him bleeding to death,” he recounted.
Traders noted that the incident was the first major outbreak of violence in the market in recent years.
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