Police arrest seven riders, impound 245 motorcycles in Mile 2, Apapa

The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of seven riders with 245 motorcycles impounded around Mile 2 and Apapa Road.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Lagos state, Ben Hundeyin, made this known in a tweet on Thursday.

“In continuation of our enforcement of the existing ban on the use of motorcycles in parts of Lagos State, our officers and men today carried out a massive raid around Mile 2 and Apapa Road.

“We impounded 245 motorcycles and arrested 7 riders. We will not relent!,” Hundeyin tweeted.

Meanwhile, a police inspector was killed while enforcing a ban on commercial motorcycles popularly referred to as okada at Cele Bus Stop along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Lagos last week Wednesday.

The Police also confirmed the arrest of two suspects with 41 motorcycles impounded following the clash that broke out between some of its officers and motorcycle riders at the bus stop.

There was pandemonium when commercial motorcyclists, popularly called Okada riders attacked and allegedly killed a police officer at Cele Bus Stop.

The irate motorcyclists also carted away three rifles taken from police operatives.

The Guardian learnt that shortly after the officer was murdered, the Okada operators, numbering about 100, ran towards Mile 2 side of the expressway.

It was said that the riders were brandishing cutlasses, daggers, big sticks and other weapons.

A petty trader at the scene of the incident described the confrontation as revenge.

She alleged that the police had, a few days ago, murdered a commercial motorcyclist around the area and the operators re-enforced to take revenge.

The trader stressed that a policewoman had earlier escaped being lynched before the incident.

According to her, the policemen pursued the motorcyclists to Ijesha Bus Stop before they were overpowered and one of them was killed, while two rifles were taken away during the fracas.

She added that there was calm after security agents fired several tear gas canisters.