Panic as Commercial motorcyclists, residents clash in Lagos community

Commercial motorcyclists and residents around Obawole, in the Iju area of Lagos State, on Saturday, clashed and created tension that sent shivers down the spines of residents in the community.

It was gathered that the clash started when a commercial motorcyclist, who was plying the Awadun Street to navigate his destination in the community, rammed into the bumper of a car driven by the son of a landlord in the area.

After the collision, the landlord’s son, who was angered by the development, alighted from the vehicle to challenge the motorcyclist.

The challenge led to an argument that degenerated into a scuffle that attracted residents and other commercial motorcyclists of the Hausa ethnic group.

Speaking with our correspondent, a mechanic who does not want his name in print, said during the scuffle, the shoulder of a motorcyclist was dislocated, adding that some soldiers intervened and arrested his colleague, one Baba Ibeji.

He said, “A vehicle driven by a young man in the area was hit by a commercial motorcyclist which resulted in a fight. One of the Hausa Okada riders who complained of having a dislocated shoulder immediately called some soldiers to the scene.

“By the time the soldiers arrived, the young man driving the vehicle had left the scene. The soldiers then arrested a Yoruba mechanic who was only trying to separate the fight.”

When our correspondent spoke to the Okada rider whose shoulder was dislocated, he said the soldiers arrested Baba Ibeji for dislocating his shoulder during the clash.

“It is the person that was arrested by the soldiers that dislocated my shoulder. He accused me of taking sides with my brother during the fight,” he said.

Our correspondent who was at the scene saw residents in the area resisting the armed soldiers who returned to make another round of arrest.

During the resistance, the residents were heard saying the soldiers had no right to make arrests because policemen had been mobilised to the scene.

A resident, who gave his name as Alhaji Kola, said the soldiers operated illegally, adding that the soldiers had released Baba Ibeji.

One of the policemen who spoke to our correspondent,said the person arrested by the soldiers had been taken to Abattoir police station.

The policeman said, “The residents informed the DPO about the problem and we were directed to come here. On arriving, we saw them arguing with some soldiers who had guns. I had to intervene and the soldiers listened to me.

“I asked the soldiers what the problem was and they said there was trouble here, adding that the person fomenting trouble had been whisked away by their colleagues. They, however, promised to release the person they arrested now that the situation was getting resolved.”

Contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said, “I didn’t get the report of the incident.”