At least four persons have been killed following clash between policemen and tricycle riders in Abule-egba area of Lagos State.
It was gathered that trouble started when a yet-to-be-identified traffic warden allegedly stabbed a tricycle rider,named Eleyele, to death for refusing his demand for N100 alleged bribe
The incident led to a reprisal attack by the riders.
Angered by the development, the victim’s colleagues ran after the policeman, who fled the scene.
The protesting crowd were said to have carried the victim’s remains to the front of the Meiran Police Division, where it was deposited.
The tricycle operators were said to be protesting the death when they attacked the police station with bottles and stones.
The mob reportedly attempted to set the police station ablaze, but the policemen allegedly dispersed them with bullets and tear gas canisters.
The killing triggered a riot, with Keke riders clashing with the police in the area, resulting in the death of more three people, including a 16-year-old boy, by the police during the exchange of gunfire that ensued, eyewitnesses said.
The policemen, who opened fire to scare off the rioting Keke riders, reportedly called for reinforcement from other police formations, who came to their rescue.
Normalcy was later restored to the area, according to Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu.
However, commuters who were trapped during the violence were seen walking long distances to their destinations, with motorists, commercial motorcycle and tricycle riders scared of using the axis for fear of being attacked.
