TENSION brewed today at Jakande Estate/Isheri Road, Isolo, Lagos State, when a commercial motorcycle rider hit a resident, who died on the spot.
The situation led to mob action as residents of the community trooped out to attack the rider, and consequently set some other commercial motorcycles on fire in anger.
This is happening presently at jakande gate isolo, angry residents are burning any Hausa bike they see, the story teller said the okoda man killed someone with his bike, that is why they’re burning all bikes that belongs to Hausa man @NigeriapolicePR @Naijapals @GistReel pic.twitter.com/gHoa4kM8jC
— AdedejiAdekoya🕙 (@hadekoyer) June 9, 2022
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed, in a tweet, the accident and the death of the pedestrian.
It is important to clear the air on what’s going on at Jakande Estate/Isheri Road. This morning, a motorcycle rider veered off the road and hit a pedestrian. Unfortunately, the pedestrian fell and died on the spot. People around decided to lynch the motorcycle rider.
— SP Benjamin Hundeyin (@BenHundeyin) June 9, 2022
Hundeyin said the rider was being attacked when the police arrived, rescued him and took him to the hospital.
The PPRO added that by the time the police returned to the scene, the mob had descended on some other motorcycles and set them ablaze.
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He wrote, “It is important to clear the air on what’s going on at Jakande Estate/Isheri Road. This morning, a motorcycle rider veered off the road and hit a pedestrian. Unfortunately, the pedestrian fell and died on the spot. People around decided to lynch the motorcycle rider.
“The police arrived at the scene on time and rescued the motorcycle rider from lynching. The police immediately took the rider to the hospital for treatment and evacuated the pedestrian. Before the police arrived back at the scene, an angry mob was already burning the motorcycle left behind by the fleeing riders.
“The Lagos State Police Command condemns jungle justice in very strong terms. Anyone found engaging in such would be dealt with in accordance with the law.”
He assured the people that officers were on ground and normalcy had returned to the area.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Frederic Oladeinde, had advised commercial riders to start a cooperatives society that would enable them own buses.
Oladeinde said that ‘okada’ was not part of the strategic Lagos masterplan, noting that the plan was to use first and last-mile buses (mini buses) to replace the commercial motorcycles.
He expressed worry over the accidents and crimes that ‘okada’ riders had been known to cause in the mega city, and vowed an end to the menace.
Experienced Business reporter seeking the truth and upholding justice. Covered capital markets, aviation, maritime, road and rail, as well as economy. Email tips to jolaoluwa@icirnigeria.org. Follow on Twitter @theminentmuyiwa and on Instagram @Hollumuyiwah.