Tensions Rise as Clash Over Lagos Park Leaves One Dead

After a clash between agberos, or road transport workers, and followers of a local traditional ruler on Sunday, violence erupted in the Alaba Rago neighborhood of Iba, Lagos State.

During the disturbance, a pedestrian who has not yet been identified was killed when he was hit by a speeding car.

The incident apparently happened after a new motor park was opened nearby, which the monarch allegedly built to accommodate cars heading to northern and eastern Nigeria. It is reported that the facility, which was opened over the weekend, caused friction among current transport employees, who saw it as a challenge to their authority over the park system and local revenue collection.

Read Also:We Remain Committed to Transformative Social Projects – Shell

Community members reported that the altercation started early on Sunday and grew more intense as the two groups faced each other close to the recently built park. A pedestrian was killed when an oncoming car struck him while he was trying to cross the street during the altercation. The victim passed away immediately.

Local sources posted footage of a terrible scene at the scene of the event, where worried people gathered around the body. One video showed onlookers hiding the leftovers behind a wrapper.

The Lagos State Police Command responded to the disturbance by confirming that steps had been taken to bring the situation under control. The state’s commissioner of police conducted an on-the-spot inspection in the region and met with the parties involved at the command headquarters in Ikeja the next day, according to police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin.

The police claim that efforts are being made to mediate a settlement and stop the confrontation from getting worse.