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Residents of Lagos state have blamed men of the Nigeria Police Force for events that led to a breakdown of law and order at Idi-Araba in Mushin Local Government Area (LGA) of the state on Tuesday.
Recall that the Lagos state government had announced a ban on the activities of commercial motorcyclists in Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Surulere, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, and Apapa LGAs.
However, multiple eyewitness accounts said that police officers stormed Idi-Araba in Mushin to enforce the ban, even though it is not among the affected LGAs and were promptly resisted by the motorcyclists popularly referred to as “okada riders”.
“I saw some officers using charms to scare the okada riders. It is shameful that the police team also came with some face-covering touts in mufti to intimidate them,” a resident of the area who does not want to be named told TNG.
Another bystander said: “It very clear that police officers are unintelligent with their work. How could you recruit touts loaded with bottles and cutlass to cause havoc in a peaceful community? This is a shame”.
Meanwhile, Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command Benjamin Hundeyin, said that a team from the area command were drafted to restore normalcy to the area.
“Idiaraba is safe. Nothing to worry about. Just some lawless motorcycle operators trying to cause trouble after their motorcycles were impounded. Our men are fully on ground,” Hundeyin tweeted.
He added: “They can’t fight because Taskforce went well prepared. They were just causing a scene after Taskforce left with some of their impounded motorcycles.”
The PRO further disclosed that police response during the clash was coordinated by Commissioner of Police Abiodun Alabi.
