Many residents of Akute and Alagboole areas of Ifo local council of Ogun state were, yesterday, stranded in the early hours of the day as a result of the aftermath of the crisis that engulfed the areas since Monday.    
   
Crisis broke out between commercial motorcyclists popularly called ‘Okada riders’ and transport union tax collectors over a fresh increase in ticket prices.
 
The motorcyclists were resisting the new increase of N200.00 to the initial price of N1,000. Although no life was lost, the disagreement led to a series of physical attacks by the motorcyclists who dominate the area against the ‘Agberos’ who sell the tickets at various stations. 
   
A visit to the area, yesterday, revealed that many makeshift shops and kiosks were vandalised, businesses still shut down and properties left in ruins.  
 
Narrating her experience to The Guardian, a Lady, Folashade Olasupo said: “l didn’t know that there was chaos in town already, I was heading to my school just a few kilometers away from Jolasco supermarket. On getting to the front of the school while I was about to alight from the motorcycle, some of the miscreants just came, dragged me from the bike and started dragging the motorcycle with the rider. He struggled with them and ran away. I sustained serious injuries on one of my legs, even the bike man ran away with my money without giving me my balance. It has been a chaotic day in the area even as many ran for safety before the police arrived,” she said. 
   
A motorcyclist in the area, simply identified as Mr. Atiku expressed worries over the menace of the Agberos in the area who most times, forcefully collect money from Okada riders.  
 
He explained that the peak of the misgivings against the union was the increase of ticket fees from N1000 to N1, 200 and N1,400 daily, adding that there could be additional N500 depending on how they move during the day. 
   
Atiku said: “This is not fair and they have never settled the matter. You know say before, them dey collect N1000 for ticket now they say N1, 200. Sometimes you may end up spending N1, 800 on tickets per day. That is the cause of the fight.  
   
“They sell tickets on every street you pass. They don’t consider that the price of fuel has increased. Some of our people haven’t gone to Akute again since Monday. If you want to work, you will buy fuel for about N3, 000. Besides, you will eat. Now if you spend N2, 000 everyday on a ticket. How can somebody have money to save after working hard and being exposed to danger every day?”
 
He further disclosed that it was the motorcycle union officials that started the disturbance after the motorcyclists refused to pay the new price. 
   
“They refused to allow them to operate. We believe that with the new rate, even if it is one day that motorcyclists in Akuti and Alagbole environments refuse to buy tickets, the union will greatly record loss of revenue. And the money they collect, you will see them at the joint almost every evening enjoying it, “Atiku said. 
   
Efforts to get the Chairman of the motorcyclists’ union to react was unsuccessful as The Guardian learnt that he was not available in the area at the time of filing this report. 
  
Giving update on the incident, yesterday, the Ogun State Police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, said the commissioner of police directed the Area Commander to deploy officers to the scene to restore order, protect lives and property. 
  
She said: “We learnt that the union members were protesting over the hike of ticket price from N1000 to N1,500.00 and the action of the transporters constitutes threats in the area because there was no reason for the burning of tyres and putting the lives of innocent passerby at risk. The ticket price was reversed and normalcy was restored. I can’t confirm the arrest of anyone. The mission of the police there was to ensure that the area remained calm.
 
“Most transporters need to be educated and the best way is to appoint a representative to dialogue with the leadership of the union instead of burning tyres, which may spread to burning of property. We don’t need violent protests.”