The imposed ban on motorcycles and tricycles on some major roads and birdges in Lagos has led to another riot in Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos state.
The riot started in the early hours of Wednesday when dealers “Okada,” riders and “Area Boys” engaged the police in a violent confrontation over enforcement of the recent ban by state government on Okada and others.
Read Also: Police Arrests 20 Okada Riders Following Clash At Ijora Over Okada/Keke Ban
The situation led to commotion and destruction of properties and also resulted into traffic jam as motorists were caught in the clash.
Several vehicles were smashed and shops looted by miscreants who seized the opportunity to loot and vandalized properties.
According to eyewitness, identified as Mr Gbenga Alawaye, the trouble started around 8am when the police allegedly went into various shops where motorcycles are being sold and attempted to impound them.
The dealers resisted the police from removing the item, insisting that they have not committed any offence, and in the process of public confrontation, miscreants joined in the clash.
The entire area was blocked as protesters set bon-fire on the road, thus, preventing vehicular movement.
The police, attached to the state taskforce, following the violent attack and being overwhelmed by the surging miscreants, called for reinforcement.
Men of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, who provided reinforcement, on arrival at the scene shot cannisters of teargas into the air to scare away the miscreants.
The situation was later brought under control at about 11 am when police restored law and order to the area.
Read Also: Okada Ban: Police Nabs 40, Impounds 266 Motorcycles, Tricycles
A RRS source, who preferred anonymity, said a total number of 21 suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack and taken to Area “M” Police Command, Idimu.
The source, however, dismissed report making the round that a police van was set ablaze in the process, saying;
No police van has been set ablaze. Its not true.
One of the riders who spoke to Vanguard accused the police of seizing the ban to exploit “Okada” riders and dealers, especially, in the areas not affected by the ban.
The rider revealed that;
The state government and Commissioner of Police should call the task force and other enforcement agents to order as they are using the ban to extort money from innocent riders and dealers in the areas not affected by the ban. The police authorities should create a monitoring squad that will check the excesses of their men while enforcing the ban. This is not fair to us. They want us to take to robbery or criminal acts. Because they have taken away our means of livelihood. Help us beg them.
It would be recalled that the state government had on February 1st commenced the restriction of the activities of Okada and tricycle operators on restricted routes and bridges across 15 Local Government Areas of the state, which excluded Iyana-Ipaja.
See videos below:
There’s a riot at iyanapaja!
We’re all running
Shots fired tear gas everywhere
Don’t go there… if you’re on your way go back! Please retweet and stay safe out there #okadaban #goat #riot #lagos #LagosIsWalking #LagosTREK pic.twitter.com/PXMIdWW8Nx— Boda Tailor (@larry_oblaq) February 5, 2020
FLASH: Protesters Light Bonfires And Clash With Police and Task Force Over #OkadaBan In Iyana Ipaja #Lagos
Video Credit: @mzgbeborun pic.twitter.com/iLWIIa5kpB
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) February 5, 2020
Lagocians let’s be safe
This is not getting funny anymore 💔
Happening right now in iyana ipaja pic.twitter.com/F9TIH9kl6Y— WARRI LAST BORN (@pitadynasty134) February 5, 2020
Iyana Ipaja Riot: Soldiers are on ground but it has gotten out of hand as gunshot is being heard.#Nigeria #trends #trending #okada #okadaban #keke #kekeban #iyanaipaja #lagos #sanwoolu #occupylagos #police #taskforce #TaskForce814 #foragreaterlagos #occupylagos #lagosiswalking pic.twitter.com/fse1SkN7JP
— All Naija Trends (@AllNaija_Trends) February 5, 2020
