Lagos mob burns 30 okadas, beats motorcyclist for killing pedestrian

There was tension on Thursday when an angry mob burnt over 30 motorcycles on Jakande Estate, Isheri Road, Lagos State, after an okada rider crushed a man to death.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the yet-to-be-identified okada rider was plying one way when he rammed into the victim, who was standing by the roadside at First Junction Bus-Stop.

The victim was said to have died due to the impact of the collision.

Our correspondents learnt that youths angered by the incident protested against the victim’s death.

During the protest, the mob pounced on the okada rider and was on the verge of lynching him when some policemen rescued him.

The protesters were said to have also seized motorcycles from other riders who plied the scene of the accident during the demonstration.

While some riders attempted retrieving their motorcycles, others, out of fear of being attacked by the mob, abandoned theirs and fled.

The police were said to have rushed the injured okada rider to a nearby hospital for treatment when the mob set the abandoned motorcycles ablaze.

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A resident, Moses Okebiorun, said residents on the estate had been thrown into panic over fear that owners of the burnt motorcycles could plan a reprisal.

He said, “Over the years, Aboki people (Northerners) have been using okadas on the highway, which is a dualised lane. They have been lawless and don’t respect traffic rules.

“They always ply one way. Today, one okada man, an Aboki, was plying one way as usual, when he knocked down a pedestrian, who wanted to cross the road.

“The man died immediately. When he died, youths got angry and started seizing okadas from Abokis and burning them in retaliation. Over 30 okadas were burnt.”

The President, Landlord Resident Association, Jakande Estate, Oke Afa,  Fatai Oloko, said the police and the Vice Chairman of the Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, were making efforts to avert a reprisal and restore normalcy in the area.

“We are currently on ground to see that no aggrieved party creates any trouble in the area. We want to forestall further violence as a result of the incident,” Oloko said.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, while condemning the mob action, said normalcy had been restored in the area.

Hundeyin said, “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 a hospital for treatment and took away the pedestrian. Before the police arrived back at the scene, an angry mob was already burning the motorcycles left behind by the fleeing riders.

“The Lagos State Police Command condemns jungle justice in strong terms. Anyone found engaging in such would be dealt with in accordance with the law.”