A clash between okada riders and police officers in the Cele Area of Isolo LCDA, Lagos State has led to the death of an Inspector of Police and severe injury to the Divisional Police Officer(DPO), Theliberationnews reports.
The report was confirmed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO in the state, SP Ben Hundeyin who explained that the police were greeted with violence while they were enforcing the ban on commercial motorcycles popularly referred to as okada at the Bus Stop.
In a series of tweets on Wednesday, Hundeyin said: “While enforcing the existing ban on the use of motorcycles in parts of Lagos State, Police Officers of Isolo Division came under attack from motorcycle riders at Cele bus-stop, resulting in the death of one Police Inspector & serious injury to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO).”
According to Hundeyin, two suspects have been arrested, while 41 motorcycles were impounded.
He added that the command would not be dissuaded from carrying out its mandate of enforcing duly established laws.
“Citizens are urged to remain law-abiding, as riders and passengers alike arrested on prohibited routes will face the law. Above all, any form of attack on Police Officers will no longer be tolerated!” the police spokesman said.
Recall that the Lagos State Government had instituted the okada ban in six local government areas (LGAs) of the state, including Ikeja, Surulere, Eti-Osa, Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island, and Apapa, with effect from June 1, 2022.
The prohibition was later extended the ban to four other states — Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Shomolu, and Mushin — beginning on September 1, 2022
