There was serious confusion on Thursday around the Command Road, Meiran, Lagos State, when men of the state police command clashed with operators of tricycle, leaving no fewer than three persons dead.
According to reports, trouble started when a yet-to-be-identified traffic warden allegedly stabbed a tricycle operator, identified simply as Eleyele, to death for refusing his demand for N100.
Angered by the development, the victim’s colleagues ran after the policeman, who fled the scene.
After the cop escaped, the protesting crowd 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.
A resident, who gave his name only as Yusuf, said the traffic policeman stabbed the victim in the chest, adding that the attack was unprovoked.
He said, “The incident happened around 9am. The tricyclist was going to a destination when the traffic policeman stopped him and demanded N100. He told the policeman that he just started work and did not have the money. We don’t know if they had an argument, but the policeman suddenly brought out a knife and stabbed the operator in the chest. The man died on the spot.
“Immediately, we attempted to apprehend the policeman, but it was the same knife he used in attacking us till he escaped.
“So, we carried the victim’s corpse to the police station, but the policemen fired bullets and tear gas at us.
“Two months ago, a tricycle operator was killed, but we will not accept this one. The police have arrested a lot of us protesting Eleyele’s death. They put some of the arrested victims in a Black Maria and patrol vehicles. The tricycle leader in our area, known as Istijaba, intervened and told us to settle the matter and we agreed. But the police suddenly opened fire on us again.”
Residents and business owners in the area were seen running helter-skelter to escape being caught in the unrest that enveloped the community.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, said, “The Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has dispatched adequate police patrol teams to maintain law and order there. No cause for alarm.”
