Four men were killed on Thursday after a disagreement reportedly escalated into communal unrest at Power Line Bus Stop, Ikola, in the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.
Our correspondent learnt from a resident who did not want to be mentioned in print that the argument stemmed from a disagreement between a northerner and a man suspected of being a leader of a cult group.
The community source 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.”
Confirming the incident in a statement on Thursday, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, noted that four people were killed in the scuffle.
He added that several people also sustained various degrees of injuries during the incident.
According to Oke-Osanyintolu, the agency received a distress call about a fire outbreak in the area at 1:52 pm and deployed its response team, which arrived at the scene about 25 minutes later.
“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 said.
He added that several makeshift structures were razed in the ensuing incident, while 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 PS noted that the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service subsequently brought the fire under control and conducted damping down to prevent further spread, the agency said.
Oke-Osanyintolu said a joint security operation involving the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps was activated to restore order and protect lives and property.
He added that the Chairman of Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area was also at the scene to support coordination with community leaders.
The emergency agency said normalcy had been restored in Ikola and its neighbouring communities, while security personnel remained deployed to prevent further breaches of public order.
The PS urged residents to remain calm, shun reprisals and avoid spreading unverified information capable of heightening tension.
He noted that a full investigation had commenced to establish the immediate and remote causes of the incident, adding that anyone found culpable would face the law.
Oke-Osanyintolu, commended the emergency and security agencies, community leaders and residents for their response and cooperation.
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