Three persons have been killed and two others injured following a violent clash in the Ikola axis of Lagos State on Thursday, with some buildings reportedly set ablaze during the confrontation.

The Lagos State Police Command said normalcy had been restored in the area following the deployment of security operatives from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Task Force, Tactical Squad, Police Mobile Force (PMF), Eko Strike Force and Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU) for continuous monitoring.

According to the Command’s spokesperson, SP, Abimbola Adebisi, the crisis began when some suspected area boys allegedly stopped a tricycle rider and demanded N200 from him.

The rider reportedly refused to pay, prompting the group to allegedly seize his tricycle.

The situation later escalated when the rider returned with some persons, leading to a violent confrontation between the two groups.

The Police said three persons were killed while two others sustained injuries during the clash.

The deceased and injured persons were taken to the Military Hospital, Yaba, for necessary medical attention and other procedures.

In a bid to restore peace, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos state Command, CP Tijani Olaiwola Fatai, accompanied by the Commander, 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Afolabi Owolabi, visited the scene to assess the situation and coordinate the security response.

The Command said its operatives were maintaining law and order in the area, stressing that the situation was “firmly under control.”

It added that investigation had commenced to unravel the circumstances surrounding the violence and identify those responsible.

The Police warned that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.

The Command urged residents to remain calm and desist from spreading unverified information or engaging in activities capable of further escalating the situation.

It also appealed to members of the public to provide credible information that could assist the ongoing investigation.