CITIZENS COMPASS –Two people have lost their lives on Monday, May 27, 2024, when scores of commercial motorcycle operators popularly known as Okada riders launched an attack on Ipaja Police Division in the Ipaja-Ayobo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State with dangerous weapons.
Problem started in the morning when officers from the Division with the assistance of the Command Headquarters impounded over 200 motorcycles while enforcing the State traffic laws that prohibit motorcycles in some parts of the State.
However, the riders were said to have regrouped in hundreds and headed for the station to launch an attack with gunshots which was repelled by the officers.
The exchange of gunshots was said to have resulted in the fatal injuries of two of the attackers while many of them were arrested.
This caused panic among residents as different types of information were shunned out.
Spokesperson, Lagos State Police Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this to journalists on Monday evening. “Officers of Ipaja Police Division have successfully repelled an early morning attack on their division by motorcycle operators.
“The attack came after police officers commenced the day’s enforcement of the existing ban on motorcycles in Lagos State. “The attackers, who came in their hundreds, stormed the station with dangerous weapons, shooting at the officers and attempting to overrun the station.
“While officers and men of the division held their ground, reinforcements came from the Area Command and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS). Two of the attackers were fatally injured during the attack.
“However, this did not deter the officers from accomplishing their mandate as over Two Hundred motorcycles were impounded and some of the attackers arrested, with one locally made firearm retrieved.
“The Lagos State Police Command will not be cowed into abdicating its responsibilities of enforcement of all duly passed laws and maintenance of law and order within the society.”
