Residents of Meiran, a community in Lagos, were gripped by fear on Wednesday afternoon after hoodlums reportedly clashed openly along a major road, forcing commuters and motorists to flee for safety.
The incident occurred around 1pm near Kabowei Bus Stop, where groups of young men were seen chasing one another, some armed with axes. Although no death was recorded, the violence caused widespread panic in the area.
Eyewitnesses said the confrontation disrupted traffic, with several motorists abandoning their vehicles on the road as they ran into nearby houses and shops to avoid being caught in the chaos.
A resident, Segun, who spoke anonymously, said he was forced to leave his car behind when the violence erupted.
“I saw about five young men holding axes and chasing another group. I immediately parked and ran into a nearby house because I did not know how far it would go. Many drivers did the same until the area became calm,” he said.
Another resident, Moses, claimed the incident began after a dispute between some youths and an ice cream vendor.
According to him, the youths allegedly collected ice cream without paying and threatened the seller when he demanded payment. He said the vendor later called for help, leading to the confrontation.
Security sources could not immediately confirm whether anyone sustained injuries during the incident.
Efforts to reach the Lagos State Police Command for official comments were unsuccessful as of Wednesday evening.
Residents expressed concern over rising street violence and called for increased police presence in the area.
