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Four persons were killed and several others injured yesterday following a violent clash that erupted at Power Line Bus Stop, Ikola, in the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The incident, which reportedly started with a disagreement, later degenerated into communal unrest, with several makeshift structures and other buildings allegedly set ablaze.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said it received a distress call over a fire outbreak in the area at about 1:52 p.m. and immediately activated its response team.
According to the agency, its team arrived at the scene about 25 minutes after receiving the distress call.
LASEMA said preliminary assessment and discussions with residents indicated that the fire incident occurred during a disagreement that later escalated into communal unrest.
The agency disclosed that several makeshift structures were destroyed by the fire.
Emergency medical assistance was also provided at the scene by the Agbado Oke-Odo Ambulance Service, the Nigerian Red Cross Society and other health responders.
The incident reportedly followed an altercation involving an alleged cultist leader and a tricycle rider.
According to reports, the disagreement later degenerated into a violent confrontation, leading to the death of four persons.
However, the Lagos State Police Command gave a slightly different account of the incident, saying preliminary information indicated that trouble started when some suspected area boys allegedly stopped a tricycle rider and demanded N200 from him.
The rider reportedly refused to pay the money, following which the group allegedly seized his tricycle.
The police said the rider later returned with some persons, leading to a violent confrontation between the two groups.
The command said three persons were reportedly killed while two others sustained injuries during the ensuing violence.
Some buildings were also reportedly set ablaze during the clash.
The deceased and injured persons were taken to the Military Hospital, Yaba, for necessary medical attention and other procedures.
Following the incident, security agencies were deployed to the area to restore peace and prevent further escalation.
Personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, led by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Olaiwola Fatai, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps and other relevant stakeholders were mobilised to the community.
The Commissioner of Police, in company
With the Commander, 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Afolabi Owolabi, visited the scene to assess the situation and coordinate the security response.
Operatives of the police command, comprising personnel of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Taskforce, Tactical Squad, Police Mobile Force (PMF), Eko Strike Force and the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU), were subsequently deployed to the area.
The police said the operatives were maintaining law and order while efforts were being made to prevent further violence.
The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed that four people were killed in the scuffle.
He said: “At 1:52 p.m., LASEMA received a distress call regarding a fire outbreak in the area. The agency’s response team was immediately activated and arrived at the scene within 25 minutes.
“Upon arrival, it was observed that several makeshift structures had been razed by fire.”
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command said normalcy had been restored to the area, assuring residents that the situation was firmly under control.
The command also said it had commenced investigation into the incident and would ensure that anyone found culpable faced the full weight of the law.
The police urged residents to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information capable of worsening the situation.
The command also appealed to members of the public to provide credible information that could assist investigators in unraveling the circumstances surrounding the violence.
The police said: “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, in company with Commander 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Afolabi Owolabi, visited the scene to assess the situation and coordinate the security response.
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) , SP Abimbola Adebisi, said,
“Operatives of the Command comprising personnel of the RRS, Taskforce, Tactical Squad, PMF, Eko Strike Force, and VCRU have been deployed to the area and are currently maintaining law and order.
“The situation is firmly under control, and efforts are ongoing to prevent any further escalation. The Command has commenced an investigation into the incident and will ensure that anyone found culpable is made to face the full weight of the law.
“The Command urges members of the public to remain calm, refrain from spreading unverified information, and avoid actions capable of further escalating the situation.
“Residents are also encouraged to provide the Police with credible information that may assist the ongoing investigation.”
This version keeps the LASEMA account and the police account distinct, which is important because the two statements give different casualty figures.
