Okada, keke ban: Iyana Ipaja protesters clash with task force personnel
- Many Lagosians have condemned the ban placed on okada and keke in major parts of the state
- Others like some in Iyana Ipaja have taken their displeasure, perhaps too far, by clashing with task force officers who came around to seize motorcycles
- The protesters claimed that the officers went beyond the areas restricted by the state government to carry out their duties
There was tension at the Iyana Ipaja part of Lagos on Wednesday, February 5, when protesters clashed with officers of the state's task force who came to enforce the recent ban placed on Okada and tricycles.
The protesters with bonfires claimed that the officials went beyond the restricted roads (specifically Raji Rasaki area of Aboru) to seize motorcycles as ordered by the state government, Nigerian Tribune reports.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that following the ban of okada and keke in some major roads in Lagos, some irate riders had attacked a Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) bus on Lagos-Abeokuta expressway.
The okada riders who had continued plying the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway in spite of the ban were seen picking stones and pelting the BRT bus around Ile-Zik end of the expressway.
Source: UGC
Legit.ng reported that the BRT bus was behind a car which hit an okada rider, causing a slight delay and roadblock around 8.07am on Monday, February 3.
Other okada riders at the scene of the accident, in solidarity with their colleague, parked their bikes and started attacking the driver of the car and other occupants who had come down to support the driver.
The effort of an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management (LASTMA) to ease off the traffic at the scene was abortive as the irate okada riders caused more commotion by attacking the BRT bus behind the car.
This caused panic among the commuters who pleaded with the driver of the BRT bus to find a way to move or open the door for them to alight.
The incident soon degenerated into full rioting as the angry okada riders extended their attack to random passers-by.
An officer of the Nigerian Air Force alighted from one of the vehicles coming from the Agege axis to Ile Zik and tried arresting one of the okada riders but he was quickly outnumbered and the riders joined hands to attack him.
It took the intervention of another soldier on mufti and camouflage cap to stop the looming outrage.
Meanwhile, as a way of cushioning the effect of the recent ban placed okada and tricycles, the Lagos state government on Sunday, February 2, revealed what it has come up with as an alternative.
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In a statement on Sunday, the state's commissioner for information and strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said that the government has injected 65 new buses into the transport system which would start functioning from Monday, February 3.
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Okada, Keke ban: Lagosians ask Tinubu to call Sanwoolu to order | Legit TV
Source: Legit.ng
