Etim Effiong
Two people are feared killed, two police stations opposite Ibadan Correctional Centre razed, and many vehicles vandalised as commercial motorcyclists (okada riders) clashed with warders at the Agodi Ate area of Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday.
Trouble was said to have started when a warder tried to get into the correctional centre. The commercial motorcyclists were said to have blocked the way, denying the warder access to his place of work.
It was learnt that as the warder, who was in uniform still tried to get to the correctional centre, the commercial motorcyclists beat and inflicted injury on him.
The beating was said to have angered his colleagues who rushed out to confront the commercial motorcyclists.
It was learnt that the cyclists reinforced with swelling number and were even assisted by hoodlums.
A source from the correctional centre, who desired to be anonymous, told our correspondent that in the process, two people were killed.
The source said, “Two people have been killed, the two police stations opposite us have been burnt, including vehicles. The hoodlums and the commercial motorcycle riders are even stoning the soldiers and civil defence personnel, who had been deployed here to forestall escalation.
“They have been hurling stones, iron, bottles into the correctional centre trying to break into the facility.
“One of our warders who was coming to work was prevented by the commercial motorcycle riders from entering the premises as they blocked everywhere with their motorcycles. As he was trying to force his way through, they beat him up to the extent that he could hardly walk.
“It was this that angered the other warders who tried to drive them away, but the warders were met with resistance as the commercial motorcycle riders hurled stones, bottles and iron at them. And before you knew it, the situation had escalated up to the extent of burning the police stations.”
And as shown in the video, there is heavy rioting in Ibadan as tyres are being burnt on the road.
Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, SP Fadeyi Olugbenga, confirmed the incident.
He said the police had been deployed to the area to join hands with other sister security agencies to quell the riot.
He stated that one okada rider was injured in the process and had been taken to the University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital for treatment.
He said, “There was a clash between warders and the okada riders. One okada rider was injured and had been taken to the University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital for treatment. Houses have been set ablaze with vehicles vandalised.
“Policemen with other sister security agencies are at the scene to forestall further escalation. The police did not fire a shot.
“I don’t know if anybody died during the clash, but as development unfolds, I shall get back to you.”