The Oyo State Government on Saturday ordered the immediate closure of Shasha market in Akinyele Local Government Area of Ibadan.
The market was shut down after what was largely seen as ethnic clashes in the market on Friday.
One fatality was recorded in the incident.
Trouble started in the aftermath of misunderstanding between a cobbler and a cart pusher in the market.
The clash reportedly began on Thursday but lingered till Friday when the cobbler was confirmed dead as a result of injury sustained during the free for all.
A witness told NAN that the cart pusher, from the northern part of the country, stabbed the cobbler, a Yoruba, with a knife as a result of a misunderstanding between them.
The witness said that the cobbler was rushed to the hospital for treatment and later confirmed dead on Friday morning.
He said that the situation sparked trouble as traders and some other residents of the area stormed the Shasa market on Friday, on a reprisal mission.
When NAN visited the area, it was discovered that some shops and houses were burnt while the market was deserted.
Security operatives, including the Police, the state Joint Anti-Crime security patrol team Codenamed Operation Burst and Amotekun operatives, were seen at different locations to ensure that normalcy returns in the area.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, CSP Olugbenga Fadeyi, confirmed the incident.
Fadeyi said that the violence erupted as a result of minor misunderstanding between two persons which later resulted in the death of one of them.
The Commissioner of Police, Ngozi Onadeko, and Gov. Seyi Makinde’s aide have been to the place to talk to the aggrieved parties.
However, a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr Taiwo Adisa, said the government order was to forestall breakdown of law and order in the area.
“The government also imposed a curfew on Shasha and the market area.
The curfew is to run from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.
“The government warned residents of the affected area to go about their legitimate businesses peacefully, stating that anyone caught perpetrating violence will face the wrath of the law.
“His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde has directed the immediate closure of Shasha market indefinitely following reports of a breach of peace in the area,” the government’s statement said.
“The governor has also approved the imposition of curfew on Shasha. It will run from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.
“Residents of the affected area are enjoined to go about their legitimate businesses within the hours stipulated by the law.
“Anyone caught disrupting the peace of the community will be made to face the wrath of the law.”
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