Tuesday, July 22, 2025 - 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.
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