Activities at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex were disrupted on Sunday after a violent clash at the Balogun Business Association market left one person dead and three others injured.
The incident, which occurred along the Badagry Expressway axis, forced the management of the complex to shut down the affected section to avert further breakdown of law and order.
Findings revealed that the crisis erupted when a task force set up by the management moved to enforce a directive halting unauthorised construction within the facility.
The enforcement team was reportedly confronted by armed men who opened fire, killing one of the officials on the spot and leaving others with gunshot wounds.
Sources within the complex alleged that some traders had encroached on unapproved areas and commenced building structures in defiance of existing regulations, including restrictions on weekend construction without official clearance.
An eyewitness said the task force members were unaware that the attackers were armed before approaching the site.
“One of them was shot dead instantly, while others sustained serious injuries,” the source disclosed.
The injured victims were subsequently rushed to a nearby hospital, where they are receiving treatment.
Confirming the development, the Executive Director of the management board, Mrs Veronica Ndanusa, said the BBA section would remain closed pending the arrest of those responsible for the attack.
“I ordered the closure of the section to forestall further violence after a task force member was killed while on duty,” she said, adding that the area had been placed under strict security watch.
Ndanusa noted that the complex is a Federal Government facility under the supervision of the Ministry of Trade and Investment, stressing that all trading activities are governed by established lease regulations.
Also reacting, the Chairman of the Trade Fair Task Force, Alhaji Bakare, described the incident as a premeditated attack, alleging that the assailants were armed with guns and other weapons.
“They came prepared and opened fire on us. We lost one of our members, while others were badly injured,” he said.
The Chief Security Officer of the complex, Bawa Outa, disclosed that repeated warnings had earlier been issued to halt the illegal construction before the situation escalated.
Security operatives, including the police, personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the military, were deployed to the scene to restore normalcy and evacuate victims.