By Shakirudeen Bankole
Pandemonium ensued along Maza-Maza, Mile 2, and Second Rainbow Junction end of Oshodi-Apapa Expressway on Tuesday, as commercial motorbikes, popularly known as Okada Riders, clashed with the Lagos State Taskforce Monitoring Team.
According to findings, trouble started when the fully armed police men stormed the area to enforce the existing ban on the activities of the Okada riders, who in turn resisted the arrest.
The confrontation happened along Maza-Maza, First Gate area, and was fast spreading towards Ilashamaja, Ijesha, and Celebrate Express.
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The clampdown, The New Diplomat gathered, infuriated the riders, some of whom are educated youths, who resorted to the dangerous and outlawed enterprise because of lack of employment opportunity and the desperation to keep body and soul together.
Mr. Samuel Daniel, who witnessed the scene, said the clampdown was initiated successful at the Maza-Maza area, when about four Okadas were ceased alongside their riders.
But trouble started when similar arrest was resisted around Mile 2 and Second Rainbow Junction, as those arrested earlier went to mobilise their colleagues to confront the taskforce team.
“I was coming from an inspection around coker,” Daniel, told The New Diplomat, as he ran into the chaotic scene.
“The okada riders were rioting and burning tires because some policemen/taskforce officials came to seize some of their bikes.
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“The express was blocked no movement from second rainbow towards oshodi and down to mile 2 festac side.
“I saw one of the riders with a dagger though, but no shooting, as they blocked all the access roads. Some were moving with speed, planks. Tires were being burnt and they were scaring people away at some point. That was all during that timeline,” he added.
A resident of Maza-Maza, Miss Dorcas Olaloeo, who spoke to our reporter, said people were running helter skelter, as a result of the confusion.
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