Ladipo Market Turned Bloody After Failed Attempts To Take Over Leadership By Okoli

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

Traders at Aguiyi Ironsi International Trade Centre at Ladipo Market in Mushin are counting their loses despite failed attempts by former president of the market to illegally take over the leadership of the Market.
P.M.EXPRESS reports many traders were reportedly shot, others wounded and they are in various Hospitals both within and outside Lagos.
One of the victims, Chigozie Okeke is laying critically ill at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Idiaraba after some thugs attacked and used weapons to cut him in two from his waist where doctors are battling to save his live.
The president of the market, Chief Cyril Onyemaechi who confirmed the incident narrated the genesis of the crises which left many families of the traders in agony.
Onyemaechi said it all started when Chief Okoli who was removed out of office after seven years ago by the Lagos State government when his tenure elapsed  and  he refused to hand over. He was causing violence in the market and committed an alleged fraud which he is now  facing criminal trial at Lagos High Court. Onyemaechi said the recent crises was caused by Okoli who allegedly invaded the market with over 500 thugs to take over the leadership of the market.
He said when he attempted to come in with those thugs inside the market, he first met and told him if he wanted to come in, he was free to come in and not with those hoodlums who were displaying weapons, cutlasses, charms and other dangerous weapons in front of the market was not acceptable.
He said it was during the encounter, those thugs attacked the traders and attempted to force themselves into the market which resulted in violence.
He said he was lucky that he managed to escape with minor injury and said some of his members were seriously injured and are in Hospitals.
Onyemachi debunked media reports where Okoli said he was invited by the traders to make peace in the market. He said Okoli was well known for his violence nature and there was no way the traders will invite him to take over the affairs of the union because he was no longer a member.
“Okoli has been out from the market for several years and there are condition to be a member of this association, by our constitution, he is not a member” Onyemaechi.
On the issue of cordial relationship with Mushin and Lagos State Government as claimed by Okoli, Onyemaechi explained that it was not true because EFCC is prosecuting him over the fund he collected from traders and refused to remit to the government including Mushin LGA.
He wondered how he had such cordial relationship and yet he did not pay them the money he collected from the traders on their behalf.
Onyemaechi view was contrary to Okoli claims that he was attacked and refused entry his shop to do business and the traders cannot inflict injury to the themselves.
P.M.EXPRESS gathered and confirmed that the assault was incidented at the Police at both Olosun division and Area D Command, Mushin and is being handled by the office of Inspector General of Police.

Effort to reach Okoli who had earlier  reacted on the crises could not be reached as his phone was switched off.