Commercial motorcycle operators otherwise known
as okada riders clashed with policemen during a protest in Majidun,
Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State on Wednesday.
The protest was said to have turned violent after
the okada riders allegedly vandalised a LAGBUS.
The development comes two days after the state
police command and the state government barred okada riders from
staging protests.
Our correspondent learnt that policemen had on
Tuesday seized a large number of motorcycles along the expressway, development
that angered the riders.
It was learnt that on Wednesday, scores of okada
riders, wielding machetes, bottles and sticks, took to the streets to express
their displeasure.
According to an eyewitness, Tomilayo Bada, the
motorcyclists made bonfires on the expressway, causing traffic snarl.
She said as soon as the police arrived, the
riders threw stones at them.
One of the motorcyclists, the eyewitness said,
jumped into a river to evade arrest.
She said, “Around 7:30am, okada riders
set up bonfires on the road, causing traffic congestion. Many of us going to
our respective places of work were also held up.
“Policemen rushed to the scene and disengaged
them. One of the riders abandoned his bike and jumped into the lagoon at
Majidun to evade arrest.”
Confirming the incident, the Police Public
Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, said normalcy had since returned. She said
policemen had been stationed in the area to prevent a recurrence.
She said, “Okada riders were burning
tyres in protest along the expressway, creating tension. Policemen moved in and
dispersed them and peace has been restored.
“I cannot confirm if anyone was arrested but
policemen are on the ground to forestall a recurrence.”
Punch
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