- Four men were confirmed dead after violence erupted in the Ikola area of Lagos.
- Several others sustained injuries, while makeshift structures were razed.
- Security agencies have restored calm as an investigation into the incident begins.
Four people have been killed following violence that erupted on Thursday at Power Line Bus Stop in Ikola, Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the incident reportedly began as a disagreement before escalating into wider communal unrest, leaving several people injured and causing damage to property.
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A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed that the crisis started after an altercation involving a Northerner and a man alleged to be a former leader of a cult group.
According to the resident, the situation quickly degenerated, prompting policemen from the Meiran Division to call for reinforcement.
However, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency confirmed in a statement that four adult males lost their lives during the violence.
The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the agency received a distress call concerning a fire outbreak in the area at about 1:52 pm.
He said emergency responders were immediately deployed and arrived at the scene approximately 25 minutes later.
According to the agency’s preliminary assessment, discussions with residents indicated 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 said.
Several makeshift structures were also razed during the incident.
Emergency medical support was provided to injured victims by the Agbado Oke-Odo Ambulance Service, the Nigerian Red Cross Society and other health responders.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service later brought the fire under control and carried out damping down operations to prevent it from spreading further.
A joint security operation involving the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps was also activated to restore order and protect lives and property.
The Chairman of the Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area was also reported to have visited the scene to support coordination efforts with community leaders.
LASEMA said normalcy had been restored in Ikola and neighbouring communities, although security personnel remained on the ground to prevent further violence.
Residents were urged to remain calm, avoid reprisals and refrain from spreading unverified information capable of worsening tension.
Oke-Osanyintolu said a full investigation had commenced to determine both the immediate and remote causes of the incident, adding that anyone found responsible would face the law.
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