Protest Over Shooting Of Okada Rider In Ondo By Policeman

By Ayodele Oni

Pockets of protest by commercial motorcycle riders, popularly called okada, enveloped Akure, Ondo state capital on Wednesday, causing panic among the people.

It was over the alleged shooting to death of an okada rider by a policeman attached to a gas station.

The deceased okada rider was among those protesting the killing of two persons in an accident by another vehicle.

It was gathered that a stray bullet of a police officer that was on guard duty at a nearby gas filling station hit the deceased and he died instantly.

The officer was said to have shot the person while trying to disperse people from the scene of the accident which had already killed another okada rider and a passenger on the road.

The commercial motorcyclists mobilised themselves to A Division Police Station where the policeman had taken refuge and attempted to vandalize the station.

They broke into the gate and threw stones into the building while policemen and their families fled through the back gate.

They made bonfires on the ever busy highway causing tragic jam while pedestrians sought another route.

The Okada riders insisted that the policeman must be released for necessary jungle justice to avenge their colleagues death.

Ondo Police spokesperson, DSP Fumilayo Odunlami, said the situation was under control.

“There was an accident along Arakale where two persons were killed.

“One of our men while trying to rescue the driver of the car that killed an okada Rider and a passenger was attacked  and in the process, another okada Rider was killed.

“The protesting riders mobilised to A Division to attack the place.”