3 persons reportedly dead as police clash with Okada, Keke riders in Lagos

BY OUR EDITOR

Three persons reportedly lost their lives Monday morning as police engaged suspected Okada and Keke riders who were protesting the ban on their operation on major highways and local government areas of Lagos State.

The clash which occurred at the Ijora Olopa area of the state was said to have claimed three lives and led to the destruction of cars and property.

In the face off, there was exchange of gunshots as bonfires were set up in the middle of the road, thus deterring motorists and other road users from passing.

As the clash raged, cars vehicles turned back to look for alternative routes in and out of Apapa since the road leading out of Apapa towards Nigerian Breweries road in Iganmu was fully blocked.

It was learnt that the clash occurred when police personnel attempted to stop the protest embarked upon by the riders.

During the protest, which started around 08.21 am, the protesters blocked the road, burning tyres.

Also, there was reported protest at Allen roundabout, Ikeja area of Lagos State on Monday over the ban on commercial motorcycles and tricycles (Okada and Keke) in 15 local councils and major roads in the state.

Before the Monday protests, thousands of motorcycle riders working for Gokada and Max had on Friday protested at the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The riders, who carried placards with different inscriptions had demanded the suspension of the ban on motorcycle and tricycle riders in 15 local council areas of the state.

The riders lamented that the ban would not only take their means of livelihood but also render them jobless.

READ: Lagos bans Okada, Keke, Gokada, Opay

The Lagos State Government had on January 26 announced that it would commence enforcement of the extant Transport Sector Reform Law 2018 from February 1.

The law banned the operation of motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, and Tricycles in some Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas.

They include Apapa LGA, Apapa Iganmu LCDA, Lagos Mainland LG, Yaba LCDA, Surulere LGA, Itire-Ikate and Coker-Aguda LCDAs and Ikeja LGA,

Others are Onigbongbo and Ojodu LCDAs, Eti-Osa LGA, Ikoyi-Obalende and Iru/Victoria Island LCDAs, Lagos Island LGA and Lagos Island East LCDA.

The state government also listed highways, bridges and roads where the law also banned motorcycles and tricycles from operating in the state.

The Lagos State Police Command also said it had impounded 188 motorcycles and 78 tricycles as well as arrested 40 persons for refusing to comply with the ban on motorcycles and tricycles in certain areas by the state government.