Lagos commercial motorcyclists protest colleague’s killing, burn two buses

LAMATA condemns burning of buses

 COMMERCIAL motorcyclists and transporters in Mile 12 area of Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA,) Lagos State yesterday went on rampage in protest over the killing of a commercial motorcycle (Okada) operator by one of the state-owned Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) buses. In anger, they set ablaze one BRT bus and another belonging to LAGBUS.

The commercial motorcyclist was being pursued by men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) for allegedly carrying two passengers on the expressway, thereby flouting traffic rules.

Eyewitnesses said he picked two passengers from Ojota and they were heading towards Ikorodu when LASTMA monitoring officials, who apparently wanted to apprehend him on motion, chased him to Ketu bus stop where he hurriedly discharged the passengers.

However, as the motorcyclist tried to manoeuvre his way back to the expressway after dropping his passengers at the service lane, he ran into the oncoming BRT bus, which crushed him to death.

Transporters, including commercial cyclists, who were seen with charms and dangerous weapons, took to the streets to pursue the LASTMA staff who had taken to their heels. They descended on government branded vehicles, including the BRT, injuring many passengers before setting two BRT buses (red and blue) ablaze.

It took the effort of a combined team of policemen from the nearby Ketu Police Station and Area ‘H’ Command to put the situation under control.

An Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Godwin Nwobodo, who was on the ground at the scene, confirmed that the deceased rider ran into the BRT corridor to evade arrest and was crushed in the process.

Police spokesman, Sam Jinadu, a Deputy Superintendent, confirmed the incident.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Rotimi Agunsoye, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that government was investigating the matter to ascertain the true cause of the problem.

“While government is investigating the case, the public must stop vandalising government property. Any time government property is destroyed, it is the tax payers money that is being wasted. We all must protect our property,” Agunsoye said.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) yesterday condemned the burning of one of its BRT buses and another belonging to LAGBUS by commercial motorcyclists.

In a statement made available to The Guardian and signed by its External Relations Specialist, Mr. Kolawole Ojelabi, LAMATA condemned the act by the riders, saying it was uncalled for and unwarranted.

“We appeal to members of the public to desist from venting their anger in the wrong direction. It is saddening to note that the buses destroyed had been deployed to offer succour to the commuting public,” he said.