Reports surrounding the Mile 12 saga have revealed that no fewer than 32 out of the 105 people arrested in connection with the violent clash that happened in Mile 12 have been arraigned by the Lagos state police command. 
The report by Vanguard stated that they were arraigned on a two count charge before Magistrate (Mrs) B.O. Osunsanmi.
The charge sheet obtained from Vanguard reads: “on the 3rd day of March, 2016, at Agiliti. Mile 12, Ikorodu road, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial district, did conspire amongst yourself to commit felony to with: riot and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.”
The Magistrate granted them bail, despite objections by the Prosecutor, Osuyi Goddy, of the police legal department.
The suspects also pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.To secure their bail, they are expected to present the sum of N200,000 each with two sureties in like sum.
The Magistrate also ordered that the sureties must be blood relatives. She also adjourned the case to April 7, 2016.
A quick recall down the lane was that residents in the Mile 12 area alleged that the police and Army helped the Hausa hoodlums wreak havoc in the area.
TRADERS MAKE SOS PLEA TO GOVERNOR
Following the recent bloody crashes which occurred at Mile 12 market, Ketu, as well as the proposed decision of the State Government as regards relocation of Market, traders engaged in business and hustle in the axis have pleaded with Akinwunmi Ambode, governor of Lagos state, to reopen the market.

It is apt to note that the market was shut following the sudden clash.
The chairman of perishable traders association at the market, Haruna Mohammed said the continued closure of the facility would further impoverish members.
It would be recalled that the market was shut on March 3 following violent clashes which, according to the police, left 10 people dead and several houses and cars razed.
The governor said the closure was to restrict movement in adjourning streets to enable security agencies restore peace to the area.
A stakeholders’ meeting was held on March 8 at the palace of Oba of Lagos.
Mohammed said the closure had forced the owners of perishable items like tomatoes, pepper and others to resort to auctioning them to recoup their investment.
The situation, he noted, had also forced traders bringing the perishable items to Lagos to discharge them at Kara and Ibafo in Ogun as well as at Ile Epo Market and Odogunyan in Ikorodu.
“Most of the trucks cannot offload their contents at Mile 12 market because of the closure by the state government,”.
“Our members have lost millions of naira since the closure of the market …the effect of this on the traders cannot be quantified.”
Yahaya Ahmed, a trader at Kara market, lamented the huge losses being recorded daily as the commodities were left to rot.“A big basket of tomatoes or pepper now sells for as low as N4, 000 against the former price of N7, 000 before the closure of the market.”
Another trader, Yinusa Jubril, also said: “I started selling off the produce because the truck owner threatened to dump them anywhere if I fail to remove them.”
LASG LAWMAKERS CALL FOR MARKET RELOCATION
An Safe line call has been made by the Lagos State House of Assembly to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode as regards the relocation of the Mile 12 and Owode Onirin Markets.
This is coming after the crisis in the Mile 12-Ketu area of the State which caused intense uproar across boarders.
The lawmaker representing Oshodi Isolo Constituency II, Jude Idimogu noted that the relocation should be done under matter of urgent public importance to avoid a recurrence.
While commiserating with the family of those, who lost their lives in the incident, the House condemned the killings and the attitude of soldiers stationed at the market, but who could not prevent the crisis.
The House then called on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to constitute a high-powered panel of inquiry into the crisis and punish the perpetrators.
OBA OF LAGOS, ONIKOSI BACK MARKET RELOCATION 
Traditional leader of Lagos state, Oba Rilwan Akiolu has disclosed his support for the state Assembly’s proposal on relocation of the popular Mile 12 market.
It will be recalled that the popular market has been witnessing countless misunderstandings between Hausa and Yoruba residents and traders.
According to Oba Akiolu, the relocation should however be embarked upon if it will bring peace and tranquility to the communities.
His view was however echoed by Oba Samuel Oloyede of Ikosi who noted that the call for the relocation of the market by the State House of Assembly was a step in the right direction.
Oba Akiolu also requested that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode should severely punish the perpetrators of the clash.
He lamented that the clash which further led to the loss of lives, destruction of properties and displacement of residents was not acceptable.
Oba Akiolu spoke when he met in his palace at Iga Iduganran with Hausa and Yoruba leaders in the state as well as traditional rulers around Ketu and Ikosi.
The monarch said: “At a time when all hands should be on deck to move the state forward, some people rather chose to take innocent lives, destroy properties and unleash terror on some residents of the state. They must be severely punished. Even if my son or my brother is fingered in the violence, he must be made to face the law.
“I am the paramount ruler of Lagos and I will not sit and watch destruction of people’s lives and properties in my domain. The violence is unjustifiable and those behind it should not go scot-free.”
The monarch urged traditional rulers around Mile 12, Ikosi and Ketu to give “true leadership” to their subjects and intervene in disputes before they escalate.
“Everybody in the market, whether Hausa, Fulani or Igbo should know that they are there to make a living; and if you are in a place to get something for your family, are you supposed to be fighting?
“This madness must stop. Everybody should live together in peace. The traditional rulers should always relate with their subjects to ensure peace. We do not want violence in Lagos,” he stressed.
Earlier, the Sarkin Hausawa of Lagos State, Alhaji Aminu Yaro, lamented that the incident was unfortunate and promised to constantly engage the leaders of Arewa communities on peaceful co-existence with their host.
His words “The incident was unfortunate. We will do our best to talk to everybody on how we can handle things better to avert this kind of problem.”
Oba Samuel Oloyede of Ikosi on his part, thanked Akiolu for holding the meeting, saying it was an opportunity for stakeholders to strategise and find a lasting peace at Mile 12.
TRADERS AGREE TO RELOCATE, APPROVES BAN OKADA BUSINESS
An unanimous agreement has been made by traders of the popular Mile 12 Market as regards market relocation from the area at the same time they have made the call to the state government to ban commercial motorcycle (Okada) riders from operating in the area.
At a recent joint news conference by leaders of the market in Alausa, Ikeja, the traders said they had resolved and agreed to work with the Lagos State Government to ensure peace in the area.
Addressing the conference on behalf of the various groups in the market, Alhaji Shehu Usman, Financial Secretary, Perishable Foodstuff Association, Mile 12 Market, said the traders had agreed to work with the government to ensure ban on the use of Okada as a means of commercial transportation in the area because of their flagrant disobedience of traffic laws in addition to causing road accidents.
“Okadas were responsible for the breakdown of law and order that precipitated the present crisis. We have agreed a peaceful co-existence among all ethnic groups in the area. We have accepted the removal of all shanties and blighted areas within the area which may be harbouring miscreants and eliminate their illegal activities. “These shanties are illegal structures which are unsuitable for human habitation and are prone to landslides and other environmental problems. Their removal will greatly enhance the security of life and properties in the neighbourhood,” he said.
Usman added that because Mile 12 Market had been in existence for decades and had outgrown its present location and available structures, it had become necessary for its relocation to another suitable and more convenient location within the state. “The market executives will dialogue further with the state government on the relocation programme which will help increase the economic growth and development, provide better infrastructure and reduce traffic congestion,” he stated.
While regretting that crisis erupted in the market, leading to the loss of lives and properties, Usman denied that the crisis was a fight between the Hausas and the Yorubas. He said it was between okada factions in the area.
At the press conference where the Secretary to the State Government, Tunji Bello, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde; Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare; Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Muslim Folami and others.
The market is likely to be re-opened as the State Executive Council is currently deliberating on its possible re-opening. Thursday 17th March, 2016, Governor Ambode ordered the opening of the market and business activities had since returned to normal.
WE DON’T WANT TO RELOCATE, IYALOJA MILE 12 BEGS AMBODE

The Mile 12 Market is located in Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area of Kosofe Local Government, along Ikorodu Road. It is noted for perishable food items such as: pepper, onions, yams, fruits, tomatoes, yam flour, vegetable and palm oils, cash crops and other numerous edible food items. The market is about 30 years old. The market consists of traders from different ethnic groups in Nigeria. These include: Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Kanuri, Ibibio, Fulani, Efik, Edo, Igala, Idoma, and Ebira just to mention a few. On a daily basis, millions of naira is generated there, because items from the market are sold to myriads of local buyers as well as some exported beyond the shores of the country at considerable prices too. Ogun State govt, traders move consequently, the traders since the closure of the market had lamented over the attendant economic hardship it has brought upon them and the customers at large. In the wake of the crisis, Ambode announced plans to relocate the market permanently to a site yet to be determined. The announcement shocked the leadership of the market which made them to embark on serious lobbying on the need for the governor to have a rethink. They assured that such incident will not re-occur. Lasting solutions to the frequent clashes However, while government and traders engaged in talks on how to find the lasting solutions to the frequent clashes in the area, the neigbouring Ogun State government quickly, offered the displaced marketers a portion of land at Ogere area, a Lagos/Ogun border, which is currently being upgraded for their use. Though, moves were on by some traders to relocate, majority opposed to the idea due to the long distance and probable loss of advantage of proximity to customers. Alhaja Iyabo Ahmed, the Iyaloja (women market leader) of Mile 12 Market, while speaking with newsmen on the development, expressed reservation about the idea of being relocated from Mile 12 to neighbouring states. According to her, “We regret the unfortunate incident that culminated into this situation and we are promising our amiable governor to pardon us. It will not happen again. “We don’t want to relocate from Lagos, it’s our main market for years past. Lagos is where the consumers are located so any relocation from Lagos will really not measure up to what we are getting in Lagos. “While, we are ready to comply with the relocation plan of the state government, we are pleading that the new site should not be too remote for us in order to have easy access to our customers, we are pleading with Governor Ambode.” The Iyaloja, who also backed plans by state government to ban Okoda operation in the area, urged the government to give adequate time and period for traders to plan relocation movement, “because any hasty movement will negatively affect us the traders and especially, customers.” Also, it was gathered that the move by Ogun State did not augur well with Lagos, which viewed it as an attempt to hijack the market from Lagos, hence, the decision by the state government to hold a stakeholders ‘meeting. However, after much pleading, Ambode penultimate, Thursday, following agreement reached with all the Stakeholders involved in the operation of the Mile 12 Market ordered the immediate re-opening of the Market. According to the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, “the re-opening was as a result of the outcome of the stakeholders’ meeting comprising of market men/women, traditional leaders in the community, residents and Community Development Associations, CDAs.” Some of the major agreements arrived with a consensus amongst the various stakeholders include: Relocation of the Market to another suitable location as the existing market can no longer contain the traders, ban on the use of Okada in the area, co-existence among all ethnic groups in the market and environs. Others are: Removal of all shanties and illegal attachments/structures within the market area, market operation to be confined within the market area, no street trading and with the promise to trade in a clean and hygienic environment. Ayorinde further stated that the stakeholders agreed that it is only in an atmosphere of peace that their various businesses and trades can thrive. He assured that Lagos is a home for all, and the state government will continue to provide the enabling environment for every investor to thrive, as the promise of the Governor to run a 24 hours economy is sacrosanct. Business activities under close security watch: However, since the resumption of business activities in the market, palpable fear still pervades among traders as the normal beehive of activities was yet to pick up. Commercial motorcyclists The heavy presence of joint military squad, deployed to provide security was conspicuous as they positioned themselves in strategic areas keeping an Eagle eye on traders and customers. Commercial and traffic activities were orderly, as against the norms of chaos. Though, the enforcement on the ban of commercial motorcyclists, popularly called “Okada” is under implementation, Okada riders still operate in some streets. Meantime, the new Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences Unit, Superintendent of Police, SP, Saidi Egbeyemi, has vowed to deal decisively with any erring Okada rider caught flouting the state government ban on their activities. The Taskfoce boss through the Public Relations Officer of the unit, Mr. Adebayo Taofiq, said any caught would have his Okada impounded and the rider prosecuted appropriately.

THE TALE UNTOLD, LOSSES & AFTERMATH 
It was a sad tale that happened at Mile 12/Agiliti, many are still counting their losses while others are mourning their beloved ones. Some people’s houses were looted and later razed; a church was set ablazed while several cars were not spared. A car dealer, Mr Jamiu made close to N10M loss from this incident, also about 150 crates of bottles from a distributor’s shop went into the fight, the list is endless, men from the Ketu Police station were said to have played a major road in causing more of this damage. How did we get here?
In this community, there are 3 Baales, 2 Obas, CDA/CDC members among other development groups, but the government invited the market leaders (who more than 70% of them don’t stay in this community), this wasn’t a welcome idea to the people, it looks more like the government took the market as the community. The people think the Obas, Baales, CDA/CDC among other community development organizations should have been invited before embarking on the market, after all the King/Baale are said to own the land, they will have an insight of what really transpired. Agiliti is a peaceful and decent community which harbours about 50% of the middle class, it is a literate environment and it is a prototype of some of the big estates we have in Kosofe, but the Irony is that it has been defaced by the market, this is what it wears on the surface, Mile 12 is just a small percentage of this community. 
After the storm, the Executive Governor of Lagos state in person of Mr Akinwunmi Ambode visited Agiliti, hoping he had come to commiserate with them; residents of Agiliti trooped out en masse only for them to see the Governor’s convoy drive, made a U-turn and left the community. This made Agiliti residents felt irrelevant to the Government, as they all have their reservations towards this act. One of them said, “I trust Fashola, he will come down from the car, address the people and keep their mind at peace, though we appreciate that peace talks are in the works, but the governor should at least relate with us”.
The crisis is gone now, but members of Agiliti won’t stop counting their losses, from lives to properties, whereas on the other side, no single damage was caused around the market or the Hausas residential territories. 
These questions are begging for the right answers;
Who will pay for all the vandalized properties?
Why wasn’t any of the Hausas’ trucks got affected, as they were parked inside Agiliti, just immediately after the bridge, on this fateful day?
Will relocating the market heal the wounds in the minds of the bereaved, or will it replace the lives and properties vandalized?
Where do we go from here…?