Four adult men have been killed following a disagreement that reportedly escalated into communal unrest at Power Line Bus Stop in Ikola, Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The incident occurred on Thursday, with several other people sustaining injuries during the ensuing violence.
A resident, who requested anonymity, said the trouble reportedly began after an altercation involving a northerner and a man suspected to be a former cult leader in the community.
The resident said, “What I know right now is that a Northerner stabbed a former leader of a cult group. This action triggered the riot that policemen from the Meiran Division had to call for reinforcement.
“I can verify that one person is confirmed dead, with rumours of about three more deaths.”
However, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency later confirmed that four people had died in the unrest.
In a statement issued on Thursday, LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the agency received a distress call concerning a fire outbreak in the area at about 1:52pm.
According to him, emergency responders arrived approximately 25 minutes after receiving the alert.
“Preliminary assessment and engagement with residents at the scene indicate that the incident followed a disagreement that escalated into communal unrest.
“Regrettably, four adult males lost their lives and several others sustained various degrees of injuries,” the agency stated.
Several makeshift structures were also reportedly destroyed by fire during the unrest.
The Agbado Oke-Odo Ambulance Service, Nigerian Red Cross Society and other medical responders provided emergency assistance to injured victims at the scene.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service subsequently contained the fire and carried out damping-down operations to prevent further spread.
Security personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps were deployed as part of a joint operation to restore order and secure the area.
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The Chairman of Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area also visited the scene and joined community leaders in efforts to coordinate the response.
LASEMA said calm had returned to Ikola and surrounding communities, although security personnel remained in the area to prevent further disturbances.
Oke-Osanyintolu appealed to residents to remain peaceful, warning them against retaliation and the circulation of unverified reports that could worsen tensions.
He said an investigation was underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those responsible, adding that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted.
The latest incident comes months after a violent clash in Ilemba Hausa, Ojo area of Lagos State, during which 18 suspects were arrested by the state police command.
The March clash involved youths in the community and was captured in a widely circulated video showing groups of young men throwing dangerous objects at one another. The police command subsequently confirmed the arrests.