Joy Anyim
At least, three persons were said to have lost their lives following a clash between policemen and commercial motorcyclists and tricyclists at Ijora area of Lagos State, on Monday.
The victims, who were said to have included a student, a woman in an Ilorin-bound vehicle and a tricycle operator, were hit by stray bullets.
It was gathered that while motorcyclists and tricyclists in the area took to major roads to protest the recent ban on their operation, burning tyres on the road, some motorists sent distress calls to security agents, over the obstruction by the protesters and upon their arrival, the policemen tried to disperse the crowd which led to a brawl.
An eyewitness, who did not want his name mentioned, said the policemen attached to Badia Division, shot sporadically to scare the protesters.
According to the eyewitness, “The tricyclists and motorcyclists had gathered at the Ijora causeway axis of Apapa road, setting bonfire to protest the restriction order by the State Government on them.
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“The protesters vandalised some vehicles including that of a policeman. The protesters were dispersed, but later regrouped at the front of the secretariat of Apapa Iganmu LCDA along Gaskiya road, where they were also chased away by policemen again.”
Speaking on the said clash, the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Elkana Bala, said the police headquarters in Ikeja had sent a reinforce to the area.
Bala’s words, “I don’t have information on any death for now. But commercial motorcyclists and tricyclists went on rampage, burning tyres and became unruly in the Ijora area, so we had to step in. We have sent reinforcement from the headquarters and I will let you know once I have more details.”
