A senior policeman has been killed in Lagos during a violent clash with commercial motorcycle riders, commonly known as Okada riders.
The incident, which took place on Saturday morning in the Agege area of Lagos, has shocked the community and the nation. The victim, a 46-year-old Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) whose identity is yet to be confirmed, was attacked by an irate group of Okada riders while attending to an accident scene.
According to the Lagos State Police Command, the ASP led a team of officers to the scene of the accident at WEMCO Junction, near Mobil Road, Agege. The accident involved an Okada rider who tragically lost his life after crashing into a trailer.
Spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the tragic death of the police officer and described the attack as completely unprovoked.
A Routine Call Turns Deadly
At around 1:40 a.m. on Saturday, the Lagos State Police Command received a distress call regarding a fatal accident between a commercial motorcyclist and a trailer. The call came from WEMCO Junction, a busy area of Agege known for its heavy traffic and frequent Okada riders.
Initial investigations revealed that the Okada rider, in an attempt to navigate through the congested area, accidentally collided with the trailer. Sadly, the impact proved fatal, and the motorcyclist died at the scene.
The police team, led by the late ASP, arrived promptly at the scene. Their mission was to evacuate the truck involved in the accident and restore order to the area. However, they were met with unexpected hostility.
A large crowd of Okada riders had already gathered, many of them angered by the death of their colleague. Emotions quickly spiraled out of control. The riders demanded that the truck be set on fire as retribution for the death of the motorcyclist.
The police officers attempted to calm the situation, explaining that the accident was under investigation and that they were there to maintain peace. But their attempts were futile. Tensions escalated, and the mob of Okada riders became increasingly aggressive.
In the midst of the chaos, the ASP was struck on the head with a heavy object. The blow proved fatal, and he died on the spot.
There has been growing concern about the lawlessness often associated with Okada riders. Incidents of reckless driving, accidents, and confrontations with the authorities have been on the rise. Saturday’s tragic event has highlighted the dangers faced by law enforcement officers who have to deal with this volatile situation on a daily basis.
Benjamin Hundeyin, the police spokesman, expressed deep sadness over the death of the officer. “This was an unprovoked attack on officers who were simply doing their job,” Hundeyin said. “The officer lost his life while trying to maintain peace and protect lives. It is a tragic reminder of the challenges our men and women in uniform face every day.”
Hundeyin also revealed that five suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing. A manhunt is currently underway to apprehend other individuals involved in the attack.
This incident is not an isolated case. Tensions between Okada riders and law enforcement have been brewing for years in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria. The use of Okadas as a primary means of transportation in Lagos has often been a source of conflict.
In 2020, the Lagos State Government placed a ban on Okada operations in certain parts of the city, citing safety concerns and the high rate of accidents. The ban was met with stiff resistance from Okada riders, many of whom rely on their motorcycles as their primary source of income.
While the ban reduced the number of Okada-related accidents in some areas, it also led to increased friction between riders and the authorities. Riders who continued to operate in restricted areas frequently clashed with the police, leading to arrests and, in some cases, violent confrontations.
