By Akonasu Gbedozin Tension gripped the Alaba Rago area of Iba, Lagos State, on Sunday after a violent clash broke out between street tran...
By Akonasu Gbedozin
Tension gripped the Alaba Rago area of Iba, Lagos State, on Sunday after a violent clash broke out between street transport union members, known as agberos, and supporters of a local monarch—leaving a passenger dead in the chaos.
According to Punch Metro, the incident, which occurred near a newly launched motor park, spiraled into a deadly confrontation that saw a yet-to-be-identified passenger crushed by a speeding vehicle while trying to cross the road during the unrest.
Eyewitnesses said the violence erupted after the monarch reportedly unveiled a new motor park near Alaba Market on Saturday, designed to serve vehicles heading to the North and East of the country.
“The park was opened by the monarch for vehicles traveling to the North and East,” said a resident named Shola. “But the agberos didn’t take it lightly. They saw it as a threat to their existing collection points. Even the Commissioner of Police was there during the launch, but tensions were already brewing.”
The agberos allegedly viewed the new park as an encroachment on their territory and a disruption to their system of collecting levies from commercial drivers. The situation escalated by Sunday morning when the opposing sides clashed violently in the area.
“In the heat of the fight, people were running everywhere. A passenger who was crossing the road got hit by a fast-moving car and died on the spot,” another resident, Abbey, said.
Graphic videos shared from the scene showed a crowd of onlookers gathered around the lifeless body of the victim, with some covering it with a wrapper out of respect.
The tragedy has sparked outrage in the community, with many questioning why disputes over control of parks and transport levies continue to result in needless loss of life.
Reacting to the unrest, the Lagos State Police Command confirmed that steps are being taken to prevent further violence. Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin said the Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, was on ground on Sunday for an immediate assessment and met with both parties on Monday in Ikeja to find a lasting solution.
“We are working to de-escalate the tension,” Hundeyin said. “The CP met with all stakeholders and is committed to restoring peace in the area.”
As of the time of this report, normalcy had begun to return to Alaba Rago, but residents remain on edge, urging authorities to step in before another tragedy strikes.
Culled from Punch
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