Tension in Lagos community over transport union workers, Okada riders clash

Palpable tension has continued to hover around Ojo, Iba, Ajangbadi communities over Monday’s violent clash that erupted between members of a transport union and Okada riders at Iyana-Oba, on the Mile 2-Badagry expressway, Lagos. Reports said two persons were feared killed while several others were injured. Vehicles and other properties were also damaged in the […]

Palpable tension has continued to hover around Ojo, Iba, Ajangbadi communities over Monday’s violent clash that erupted between members of a transport union and Okada riders at Iyana-Oba, on the Mile 2-Badagry expressway, Lagos.

Reports said two persons were feared killed while several others were injured. Vehicles and other properties were also damaged in the fracas.

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Armed policemen from anti-riot squad as well as soldiers from Ojo cantonment are presently patrolling the area to maintain normalcy.

Our Correspondent, who visited the area, discovered that pedestrians avoided Volks, Iyana-Oba and Alaba Rago areas for fear that there might be another breakdown of law and order in the area.

Iyana-Oba bus stop, which used to be a beehive of human and vehicular activities, was relatively quiet as only very few traders were seen in the area

A vulcaniser at Iyana-Oba bus stop, Baba Tawa, said business had been low as a result of the crisis

“As you can see, only a few Okada riders are operating presently. Others have decided to stay away from the place but I think peace is returning to the area,” he said.

Another witness, Sunday Okwu, who was trapped in the crisis on Monday, narrated his near-death experience.

“I was trapped in the crisis on Monday when it started. I was actually on my way to work around 10.30 am when I ran into some club carrying youths. I ran into Lagos State University where I and others sought refuge,” he said.

Lagos State Police Spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, said normalcy had since been restored to the area.

He was, however, silent as regards the number of persons killed and vehicles destroyed.