No fewer than 40 vehicles have been burnt in a clash between Yoruba and Igbo traders in the Mushin area of Lagos as the army and police moved in to quell the violence.

It was also gathered that no fewer than 15 people were injured in the fracas that left Odushina, by Oloje; Dramola Street, Olapeju, Oshoro, Akinwunmi and Ladipo Market deserted.

It was gathered that residents in the affected areas fled to avoid being caught in the mayhem, just as police and men of OP-MESSA cordoned off the entire area with an Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC. A police source said he counted 40 vehicles burnt and several others with broken screens.

People have taken refuge in their houses as shops were hurriedly shut by their owners who fled to safety. Witnesses said trouble started when one Agunleri, who is the secretary of one of the market unions, allegedly stormed an area where Yoruba traders were selling and began to upturn the wares in the guise that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was coming to the area for a function and that there was need for the place to be cleaned up.

Angered by the brazen act of oppression, one of the Yoruba traders, a male, was said to have challenged him on why he was upturning their wares, leading to a fight that soon spread.

News Express reports that the clash took place a day after both groups fought in the market, with some reports putting the death toll at three.

•Largely based on a National Mirror report. Photo shows Lagos Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni.