Eyewitnesses Narrate how soldiers stormed the Ladipo market killed more than 4 boys over a car engine bought in 2020.<br> <iframe class=youtube src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3esiNtWs_XQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br><a rel=ugc href="https://www.youtube.com/watch'v=3esiNtWs_XQ">https://www.youtube.com/watch'v=3esiNtWs_XQ</a><br><br><blockquote><b>Several killed in soldiers-touts clash at Ladipo market</b><br> <br>Clash on Tuesday between soldiers and ticket touts at the popular Ladipo auto spare parts market in Lagos has left a number of persons dead.<br><br>But the casualty figure is uncertain.<br><br>While some said three persons were killed by the soldiers, others put the figure at five.<br><br>A trader said, <b>Some soldiers came here and started shooting directly at us. They aimed at us, one of them even positioned well to get a good view of the target before shooting.</b><br><br>Many were reported injured.<br><br>The Nation gathered that <b>a fight ensued between soldiers of the Operation MESA and suspected area boys said to be in charge of ticketing which led to the soldiers shooting.</b><br><br><b>Another account said personnel of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) opened fire on traders following a disagreement over an article bought from a trader.<br><br>A fight ensued and the military man called for backup from his colleagues.</b><br> <br>A mechanic said a military patrol vehicle was vandalised and set ablaze by a mob.<br><br><b>Another eyewitness told The Nation that a young boy was among those killed while four others sustained gunshot injuries and were rushed to hospital.</b><br><br>A man, who gave his name as Paul, said they scampered for safety when they started hearing gunshots.<br><br><b>We were here at our shops when soldiers came and started shooting. We all ran for our lives but some of our brothers were killed, others got injured.</b><br><br><b>What we heard was that one of the soldiers had tried to return an item he got from a shop and that was what led to the scuffle,</b> he said.<br><br>Another <b>trader, Emeka who claimed his brother was among those killed, decried the unfair treatment meted to them by the operatives.<br><br>My brother has been killed. The operatives intentionally shot at us instead of shooting towards the sky. I even saw one of the operatives who positioned himself in order to get a good view of his target before shooting.<br><br>A young boy was also among those killed,</b> he lamented and declined further comments.<br><br>A beverage seller, Iya Rukaya, confirmed a young boy was killed but added that she did not know how many people died.<br><br>At the time our reporter visited, calm has been restored although broken bottles could still be seen on the ground.<br><br>Most shops were closed while traders still around were in clusters discussing the incident. Also, there was no presence of policemen or military operatives on sight.<br><br>The Air Force denied that its operatives killed anyone at the scene, insisting they acted professionally and in response to a distress call.<br><br>The Force one person died.<br><br>NAF spokesman Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet told The Nation that the services personnel attached to the Operation (OPs) MESA were in the market in response to a distress call.<br><br>He said a call was put across by traders about a fight going on between a soldier of the Nigerian Army (NA) and a civilian debtor.<br><br>Gabkwet said upon receipt of the call, the team moved to the market but were attacked by angry traders who pelted them with stones.<br><br>Two of our operatives sustained injuries, he said, adding, We are going to investigate the incident to know what really happened.<br><br>The spokesman for Nigerian Armys 81 Division, Major Olaniyi Osoba also said the matter was being investigated.</blockquote><br><a rel=ugc href="https://thenationonlineng.net/several-killed-in-soldiers-touts-clash-at-ladipo-market/amp/">https://thenationonlineng.net/several-killed-in-soldiers-touts-clash-at-ladipo-market/amp/</a>
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