Motorcycle and tricycle operators in Iyana Ipaja area of Lagos State on Wednesday clashed with police as they protest the ban imposed on their commercial operations.
In a video circulating on social media, people were seen running helter-skelter for cover.
The protesters had light bonfires and disrupted business activities in the area, forcing the police to intervene.
An eyewitness, told a local media outlet that “There is a serious shooting and riot in Iyana Ipaja between the task force and local bike men. God will protect us all.”
Commercial motor-cycle riders in Lagos have been protesting the ban on their activities since the start of this month.
Last month Nigeria’s Lagos State government announced the ban which affects the activities of these bike riders in some Local Government Areas, bridges, and highways in the state.
Nigeria’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso has said that the latest measures are in response to “scary figures” of fatal accidents from operations of Okada and tricycles in the State.
Omotoso said “From 2016 to 2019, there were over 10,000 accidents recorded at the General Hospitals alone. This number excludes unreported cases and those recorded by other hospitals.
The total number of deaths from reported cases is over 600 as of date.
Motorbikes and Tricycles have become popular means of transportation in Lagos due to the heavy vehicular congestion on major roads.
Source: Africafeeds.com
