Violence broke out in the Alaba Rago area of Iba, Lagos State, on Sunday following a confrontation between road transport workers, commonly known as agberos, and supporters of a local traditional ruler.
The unrest resulted in the death of a yet-to-be-identified pedestrian who was fatally struck by a speeding vehicle during the chaos.
The incident reportedly followed the unveiling of a new motor park in the area, allegedly established by the monarch to serve vehicles travelling to Nigeria’s northern and eastern regions. The facility, which was launched over the weekend, is said to have sparked tension among existing transport workers, who viewed it as a threat to their control over the park system and revenue collection in the area.
Residents of the community said the conflict began in the early hours of Sunday, intensifying as both groups confronted one another near the newly constructed park. Amid the fracas, a pedestrian attempting to cross the road was hit by an oncoming vehicle, leading to fatal injuries. The victim died on the spot.
Footage shared by local sources showed a disturbing scene at the site of the incident, where concerned residents gathered around the body. In one clip, bystanders were seen using a wrapper to shield the remains from view.
In response to the unrest, the Lagos State Police Command confirmed that measures had been taken to restore calm. Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin said the state’s Commissioner of Police had visited the area for an on-the-spot assessment and met with the involved parties at the command headquarters in Ikeja the following day.
Efforts, according to the police, are ongoing to broker peace and prevent further escalation of the conflict.
