The incident reportedly triggered panic in the community, with conflicting accounts emerging over what led to the violence.
According to one account, the crisis started after a disagreement between a commercial motorcyclist, popularly known as an okada rider, and a passenger over an outstanding N200 fare.
An eyewitness, who identified himself as Imafidon, said the okada rider had conveyed the passenger from Church Bus Stop to Adeniran, near the market, for a fare of N500, but the passenger allegedly paid N300.
He said the disagreement escalated before the motorcyclist allegedly brought out a knife and stabbed the passenger in the stomach, killing him.
“The okada rider carried a young man from Church Bus Stop to Adeniran, close to the market. He was supposed to pay N500, but gave the rider N300.
“It led to a disagreement. In the process, the okada man brought out a knife and stabbed the man. He died immediately,” the eyewitness said.
He alleged that after the incident, the okada rider went to Wazobia Market and mobilised other riders, who subsequently began attacking people in Ikola.
The eyewitness claimed that the violence escalated, with members of both sides allegedly attacking one another and several people reportedly killed, while some motorcycles were also stolen.
Another eyewitness, who said he narrowly escaped the violence, described the attack as a free-for-all, alleging that some victims suffered severe knife injuries.
He said one victim had reportedly sustained a deep injury that left one of his legs almost severed, while another had his intestines protruding from his side.
According to him, another victim was attacked with knives and sustained multiple injuries to his head, hands and legs before his attackers overpowered him.
The violence reportedly caused panic among residents living around the market, with some hurriedly packing their belongings and leaving the area for safety.
Some residents also alleged that members of one of the groups threatened to set houses in Ikola ablaze in retaliation.
However, the Lagos State Police Command gave a different account of how the clash started.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said preliminary information indicated that the trouble began when suspected area boys allegedly stopped a tricycle rider and demanded N200 from him.
She said the rider reportedly refused to pay, prompting the group to allegedly seize his tricycle.
“The rider subsequently returned with some persons, leading to a violent confrontation between the two groups. Sadly, three (3) persons were reportedly killed, while two others sustained injuries. Some buildings were also reportedly set ablaze during the ensuing violence,” Adebisi said.
She added that the deceased and injured persons had been taken to the Military Hospital, Yaba, for necessary medical attention and other procedures.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, alongside the Commander, 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Afolabi Owolabi, visited the scene to assess the situation and coordinate the security response.
The police also deployed personnel from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Taskforce, Tactical Squad, Police Mobile Force (PMF), Eko Strike Force and the Violent Crimes Response Unit (VCRU) to restore and maintain law and order.
Adebisi said the situation had been brought under control, while an investigation had commenced to determine those responsible for the violence.
She assured that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.
The command urged residents to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information and refrain from actions capable of escalating the situation.
Residents were also encouraged to provide credible information that could assist the ongoing investigation.
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