Eyewitnesses reported that an unidentified police officer was killed on Wednesday by a group of commercial motorcyclists, known locally as Okada riders, in the Cele‑Ijesha area of Lagos State. The riders were protesting the enforcement of a ban on commercial motorcycle operations when the incident occurred.
According to Metro, the clash began around 11 a.m. when police attempted to stop a motorcyclist traveling the Mile 2‑Cele axis. The rider resisted, and other motorcyclists who witnessed the confrontation intervened to support their colleague, leading to a violent confrontation with the officers. An eyewitness who wished to remain anonymous said a policeman tried to brandish his gun to scare the riders, but the motorcyclists overpowered him and allegedly killed him. The witness recounted, “The police were trying to arrest one of the riders shuttling between Cele‑Ijesha and Mile 2. When the rider resisted, other motorcyclists intervened and demanded the release of their colleague’s motorcycle. The police refused and tried to drive them away, but the riders blocked their exit. One officer pointed his gun at them, but they overpowered him and killed him.”
Another witness, identified only as Dehinde, said the remaining officers fled the scene after realizing their colleague had been killed. “They called for reinforcements, but by the time they returned, the motorcyclists had fled, brandishing various weapons as they left,” he said.
The clash caused panic among commuters and traders, who rushed for safety. State Police Public Relations Officer SP Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed that two suspects have been arrested and 41 motorcycles have been impounded.
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