Commercial motorcyclists popularly known as Okada riders were involved in a clash with officers of the Lagos State Police Command at LUTH – Idi Araba area of the state.
Okada Riders Clash With Police In Idi Araba
It was gathered that the Okada riders were revolting against Lagos State Task Force for seizing their bikes following the ban on motorcycle operations in some locations since June 1, 2022.
KanyiDaily recalls that Lagos State Government had banned Okada in six local government areas including Apapa, Eti Osa, Ikeja, Lagos Island, Surulere and Lagos Mainland.
Lagos State Task Force have since then seized thousands of bikes from violators which are now routinely crushed publicly.
On Tuesday afternoon, some Okada riders started revolting against the okada ban in the Idi Araba area, accusing the state government for taking away their source of living.
In videos circulating on social media, gunshots were fired by the police as motorcycle riders began to retaliate and light up bonfires on some roads.
When contacted, Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin assured residents of safety, while denying reports that the riders fought security personnel.
He said, “The Taskforce went well prepared. They (riders) were just causing a scene after Taskforce left with some of their impounded motorcycles.”
Hundeyin said the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and men from the Area Command have been drafted to the scene, adding that there’s “absolutely nothing to worry about”.
Current update concern the situation at Idiaraba this afternoon
Rt. pic.twitter.com/2im7QngdHk
— Naija (@Naija_PR) June 7, 2022
Watch the video below:
Police & okada boys around Idi Araba Luth gate road
Please y’all should stay safe 🙏🏿🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/1kmK57UClY
— Msp Nation Ent (@mspoflagos) June 7, 2022
https://twitter.com/brainy_maxx/status/1534180013301551105?s=20&t=K826EwJ1k7XdRqdgVm_Wbg
Okada Riders and Police Clash in Idi Araba
Sango Asiwaju Tinubu #APCPresidentialPrimaries #whatisgoingon Nathanieil Bassey Osinbajo #BAT2023 #SportyBetScam #Rapture pic.twitter.com/IXiq8EEELB
— Z2HTV (@Z2Htv) June 7, 2022
@LagosArewaYO @oil_shaeikh @followlasg @jidesanwoolu pls we need more explanation about @LagosPoliceNG why did task force about banning okada have the right to entered munchi local govt / idi abara to be specific while @jidesanwoolu did not mention munchi among the place that w pic.twitter.com/l1hwayHDj7
— Naseermustaphanaseer🐐 (@Naseermustapha1) June 7, 2022
Police men and bike men in idi Araba. Around luth area please be careful @PoojaMedia @Gidi_Traffic pic.twitter.com/pq3JFKxGDk
— Diokpa Gram (@Sirgram00) June 7, 2022
KanyiDaily recalls that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) had recently ordered all Okada riders to obtain a licence to operate within Abuja.