Five killed, houses burnt as Abuja traders, okada riders clash

Five people have been reportedly killed and a number of houses set ablaze in a clash between traders and okada riders at Dei Dei, a community in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The clash was said to have started after an accident by a commercial motorcycle operator  leading to the death of his passenger.

The traders out of anger reportedly attacked the rider, whom they blamed for recklessness which led to the death of the passenger.

The okada riders colleagues reportedly moved to rescue him from the attackers and the situation degenerated afterwards.

Another account has it that the driver of the trailer which crushed the passenger to death was attacked and some persons mobilised to defend him.

One of the victims confirmed that his house was torched.

Security operatives have moved to the scene to prevent further violence.

The Abuja incident happened at about the time Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State imposed a ban on okada operation in six local government areas of Lagos over the killing of a sound engineer.