Four men lost their lives, following a clash that intensified into communal unrest on Thursday, 27th August at Power Line Bus Stop, Ikola, Alimosho Local Council Area of Lagos State.
The incident allegedly stemmed from a disagreement between cultist leader and a bike rider which resulted in the rider stabbing and killing the cultist.
The violence further intensified as community members claim the bike rider is a Northerner, who stabbed the suspected cult leader, unleashing a riot that claimed four lives.
Following the incident, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, led by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos Command, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, were deployed.
According to the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the agency received a distress call regarding a fire outbreak in the area and the response team was immediately activated and arrived at the scene within 25 minutes.
It was revealed upon the arrival of the operatives that several makeshift structures had been severally affected by fire. He also pointed out that four lives were lost in the violent attacks.
“Regrettably, four adult males lost their lives and several others sustained various degrees of injuries,” Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu said.
The Agbado Oke-Odo Ambulance Service, the Nigerian Red Cross Society and other health responders were present at the scene and joint forces to provide emergency medical support.
He urged residents to remain calm, shun retaliatory actions of any form and avoid spreading unverified information capable of heightening tension.
He also issued warnings against violence.
“The Lagos State Government, under the leadership of Governor, condemns all acts of violence and reiterates its zero tolerance for actions that threaten the peace and unity of the state. In line with global best practices, a full investigation has commenced to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the incident, and anyone found culpable will be made to face the full weight of the law.”
Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu expressed appreciation for the swift response of all the involved emergency responders, as well as the cooperation of community leaders and residents during the operation.
[…] exercise was part of ongoing safety operations in the community to protect residents, following the clash in the community which claimed four lives on Thursday, 27th August. […]