By Adeleye kunle
An unidentified male passenger on a commercial bus was killed on the spot yesterday by a stray bullet fired by police officers from the Lagos State Task Force at the Second Rainbow bus stop on the Apapa-Oshodi expressway in Lagos.
When tragedy struck, the officers were on their way to enforce the ban on commercial motorcycles on the route.
According to eyewitnesses, the riders resisted the policemen’s initial attempt to impound some motorbikes, prompting the officers to fire some shots, apparently to disperse the commercial motorcyclists, who numbered in the hundreds.
A stray bullet struck a male passenger in his twenties inside a commercial bus on the other side of the road during the process.
Other passengers were reportedly injured and taken to the hospital.
To avoid further disaster, everyone took to their heels in response to the incident. Motorists, including commercial motorcycle riders, abandoned their vehicles and fled for safety, leaving their wares at the mercy of hoodlums who took advantage of the opportunity to loot.
When the officers realized the gravity of their actions, they fled the scene with some impounded motorcycles.
Protesters barricaded the highway with a bonfire, denying motorists driving out of Apapa access.
The ongoing construction work on the axis exacerbated the traffic situation even more.
Commuters were forced to walk from Mile 2 to Second Rainbow before boarding buses to their destinations due to the stampede.
When Track News reporters arrived at the scene around 5 p.m., the victim’s body, dressed in a multi-colored shirt and black and white pants, was still lying in a pool of his own blood, with onlookers crowding around to photograph him.
Armed police officers were seen guarding the entrance to a police station to keep protesters out.
“Okada riders have become more daring,” said an eyewitness, Bukola Ayeni, who spoke with our reporters. They have simply refused to comply with the state government’s ban directive. I honestly don’t understand these commercial motorcycle riders. Even though the government has stated that they do not want something, you continue to do it. Now consider how the problem has resulted in the death of an innocent young man.”
Samsudeen Mojeed, another eyewitness, stated, “Why would any sane Force storm here at this time to effect the arrest of okada riders?” Okada is the only way to get to Mile 2 and beyond right now. Due to ongoing construction, the entire road has been closed. If you try to drive from Second Rainbow to Apapa, it will take you at least four hours.
“I blame the construction company for Okada’s return to this axis.” The riders simply took advantage of the road construction opportunity to make some money. When enforcing any policy, the government and its security agencies must be cautious.”
Confirming the incident, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority Director of Operations Peter Ola stated that sanity had been restored following the reinforcement of military personnel.
“There was pandemonium in the Amuwo Odofin axis today as okada riders clashed with security operatives at around 1500hrs,” Peter says (Monday).
“Security personnel were dispatched to the scene to restore normalcy.”
When contacted, the Task Force’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Raheem Gbadeyinka, stated that he was unaware of the incident because he was in a marathon meeting earlier, but was unable to get back to our correspondent for confirmation as of press time.
The attempt to reach Lagos State Police Spokesman SP Benjamin Hundeyin on his mobile phone was futile, as it rang without response.
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