Three persons were confirmed dead while two others sustained injuries and houses were set ablaze during a violence in the Ikola area of Ipaja, Lagos State, when some street urchins popularly known as area boys demanded the sum of N200 from a tricycle rider.
The state police command confirmed the casualties and violence in a statement on Thursday evening, saying normalcy had returned to the town.
According to reports, trouble began when some area boys stopped a tricycle rider and demanded the sum of ₦200 which the rider refused to pay. As a result of his refusal, the tricycle was seized from him.
The rider was said to have returned with his colleagues and some other persons, leading to a violent confrontation
At the end of the fracas that ensued, three persons were killed, while two others sustained injuries. Some buildings were also set ablaze before the arrival of policemen at the scene.
The deceased had been taken to the morgue while the injured persons were rushed to the Military Hospital, Yaba, for medical attention.
“Operatives of the command comprising personnel of the RRS, Taskforce, Tactical Squad, PMF, Eko Strike Force and VCRU have been deployed to the area and are currently maintaining law and order. The situation is firmly under control and efforts are ongoing to prevent any further escalation,” the command said in a statement on Thursday.
