Agberos clash with monarch’s supporters over new motor park in Lagos

Panic gripped the Alaba Rago area of Iba, Lagos State, on Sunday following a violent clash between road transport workers, commonly known as agberos, and supporters of a local traditional ruler.

The unrest, which erupted in the early hours of the day, led to the tragic death of an unidentified passenger who was reportedly crushed by a speeding vehicle during the chaos.

According to eyewitness accounts reported by PUNCH Metro, the conflict was triggered by the recent commissioning of a new motor park in the area. The facility, allegedly established by the monarch, was designated for vehicles traveling to the northern and eastern regions of Nigeria a move that reportedly angered existing transport operators who felt sidelined.

“The monarch built a park at the Alaba Market side of the road. It was unveiled on Saturday for vehicles going to the North and East,” a resident identified only as Shola said.

“But the road transport workers were not comfortable with the development. The CP (Commissioner of Police) was even there. There was a tussle over the park between the monarch and some of the agberos. That’s what led to the fiasco,” the resident added.

According to residents, the agberos allegedly saw the new park as a threat to their existing system of collecting levies from drivers in the area.

Tensions escalated when supporters of the monarch and the transport workers clashed on Sunday morning.

“In the process of chasing themselves and fighting, a passenger was trying to cross the road near the new park when a speeding vehicle hit and killed the person on the spot,” another resident, Abbey, told PUNCH Metro on Monday.

Footage shared with our correspondent showed a crowd of sympathisers gathered at the scene of the incident.

In one video, the lifeless body of the victim lay in a pool of blood, while in another, residents were seen covering the body with a wrapper to shield onlookers from the gruesome sight.

Reacting to the clash, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed efforts were underway to de-escalate the situation and broker peace between the warring factions.

“The CP was personally on the ground yesterday for an on-the-spot assessment,” the spokesperson said.

“He also met with all parties today (Monday) at the command headquarters in Ikeja to find a lasting solution to the problem,” Hundeyin added.

Sunday’s incident adds to a growing list of violent clashes involving road transport workers and union operatives across Lagos and neighbouring states.

In late 2023, a similar confrontation between commercial motorcyclists and agberos in the Akute and Alagbole areas of Ogun State reportedly resulted in multiple fatalities.

(Punch)