Okada riders protest alleged killing of colleague by policeman in Lagos

Commercial motorcycle riders aka okada on Tuesday protested the alleged killing of one of the colleagues by a policeman in Ilupeju area of Lagos.

The protest led to confusion in the area as policemen fired bullets and teargas to disperse the protesters.

A witness wrote on Facebook that the policeman shot the okada rider dead after failing to stop the biker on Coker Road in Ilupeju.

The cyclist had successfully evaded the policeman’s attempt to arrest him when he was surprisingly shot dead.

More details on the okada rider’s killing were not immediately available.

Policemen and traffic agents have been accused of using brutal methods to enforce the Lagos State Traffic Law, which also bars okada riders from some roads in the metropolis.

There are reports that some policemen have actually killed some okada riders in the guise of enforcing the law.

Thousands of motorcycles belonging to okada riders have been seized and auctioned or destroyed.

However, the traffic law has come under widespread criticism for the strong arm tactics employed by policemen and traffic agents.

More details as the story develops.