Tension As Okada Riders Clash With Police In Lagos

There is tension in parts of Ogba in Lagos following the alleged shooting of three Okada riders by security agencies.

The incident happened around Mokuolu Street in Ogba around 6pm on Thursday.

The clash between the commercial motorcyclists and the Task Force started as security agents were trying to enforce Okada ban in the area.

This led to a clash, which resorted in the shooting of three Okada riders, Daily Trust learnt.

However, one of the Okada riders reportedly died this morning prompting other riders to embark on protest, but they were subsequently dispatched by security agencies.

As at the time of filing this report, the state police command had deployed a detachment of mobile policemen and plain clothed officers to maintain law and order.

Our correspondent also observed two buses loaded with security agents in Mufti were also mobilised to restore calm to the area.

Roads leading to Excellence Roundabout, Ogba Market and WAEC were blocked with vans of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) unit of the police.

All the shops in the major market were equally closed when our correspondent visited.

One of the shop owners, who identified himself as Olamide, told our correspondent that the clash occurred when policemen attempted to arrest an Okada rider.

He said the arrest was being carried out at a time the union leaders and other Okada riders had left the area.

He said in the ensuing confrontation, the policeman shot one Okada rider in the chest while another one was hit by stray bullet.

The eyewitness said, “Seriously I wasn’t there when it happened. I only got here this money and saw policemen everywhere.

“I later got to know that the policemen wanted to arrest the Okada riders, but they challenged them the time was not proper to seize their bike and that this is not a proper time.

“Then they said the policemen fired some shots. One has reportedly been killed while two others are in the hospital.”

He added that shooting still continued this morning.

“You can see the situation is very critical. They were shooting critically (sic) this morning,” he said.

The state police spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, is yet to comment on the situation.