Residents of Ikola, in the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, are counting their losses after a violent clash between Yoruba and Hausa residents left several people dead and properties destroyed.
The crisis, which occurred around the Power Line area, reportedly followed an earlier dispute that led to the death of a Yoruba man.
A resident familiar with the incident, who spoke with Nigeria NewsDirect on condition of anonymity, alleged that the man was killed by a Hausa man following a disagreement over money, after the suspect allegedly refused to give him the full amount involved in a transaction.
The resident said the incident heightened tension in the area, particularly as another young man was allegedly killed earlier.
Residents reportedly took the matter to the police, seeking justice and intervention.
However, the situation allegedly worsened after the police handling the matter, with people familiar with the incident claiming that a statement made during the process was interpreted by some youths as a call to pursue those believed to be responsible.
This reportedly led to attacks on properties linked to Hausa residents, with some houses and shops set ablaze.
Nigeria NewsDirect could not independently verify the allegation concerning the police response.
The Lagos State Police Command gave a different account, saying the immediate clash began when suspected area boys allegedly stopped a tricycle rider and demanded N200 from him.
The rider reportedly refused, leading to the seizure of his tricycle. He later returned with others, resulting in a confrontation that left three people dead and two injured, according to the police.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, however, reported four deaths.
Meanwhile, the aftermath has affected residents who were not involved in the violence.
By about 10am on Saturday, government officials accompanied by security personnel moved into the area and began demolishing houses, shops and other structures along the pipeline corridor.
Some affected residents complained that they were not given adequate notice, saying they had invested heavily in their shops and homes and had no connection to the clash.
A resident familiar with the situation said many of the affected structures were built on government land reserved for a pipeline corridor. The resident also alleged that some locations were being used for drug sales and other illegal activities.
The allegations could not be independently verified.
The demolition has raised questions over how residents were allowed to occupy and invest in the area if the land was government property.
Some affected occupants are now asking who collected money from them and why they were allowed to remain there until the demolition.
With security operatives deployed to prevent further violence and investigations ongoing, residents are left to deal with the losses caused by a crisis they say they did not start.
For many, the immediate concern is how to rebuild their homes and businesses after the violence and demolition.