Police Arrest Traditional Ruler Over Ilaje/Ajah Clash

The Lagos State Police Command said on Monday that it had arrested six suspects, including a traditional ruler, in connection with Wednesday's Ilaje/Ajah community clash in which sources said five persons were killed.

The command's spokesperson, DSP Ngozi Braide, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the suspects were being detained at the State CID Panti, for further investigation.?

The spokesperson, however, said she could not immediately confirm any casualty during the clash but that the police were on top of the situation.?

Ngozi said the police were looking for a seventh suspect “who was in the habit of masterminding criminal activities in the area''.??

According to her, efforts were on to arrest the suspect, popularly called “All round'' and others who played different roles? in the clash.

He said armed policemen would continue to remain in the area until complete normalcy was restored.?

However, a source told newsmen that a peace meeting had been scheduled between the communities by the Commander of Area J Command,? ACP Felix Vwamhi, before the clash.?

The source, however, said that the meeting failed to hold as the rampaging youths from both sides engaged one another overnight and continued until Monday morning.?

The fight broke out between the communities over the control and collection of tolls at the Ilaje Motor Park.