One Killed, Others Injured in Ikorodu Fresh Protest

For the second day running, protesters marched on the town of Ikorodu in Lagos State over the killing of a commercial motorcyclist who was shot by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS). One person was killed and several others were injured in the protest, which began on Tuesday.

The policeman, who was simply identified as Haruna, in company with two of his colleagues, Ayodele and Ismaila, had on Tuesday stormed the area to arrest violators of government's restriction of the operation of commercial motorcycle on about 475 roads in the state.

In an attempt to stop the deceased, who was identified as Lekan Ajayi, from escaping, the policeman was said to have shot him at a close range while two other persons were injured.

The protesters, who were dispersed on Tuesday, however regrouped yesterday and stormed the Sagamu Police Station, Ikorodu, demanding that the killer policeman be brought out for them.

As the mob swelled in numbers, they were said to have blocked the major roads in the town, wielding sticks and other weapons.

The mob action ground activities as traders and others scampered to safety to prevent being attacked.

When contacted, the state police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the area had been brought under control by policemen.

She said: "It is an unfortunate incident that a life was lost but no matter what happens, we are not supposed to take laws into our hands and take to the streets to protest.

"When I spoke to the divisional police officer, I learnt that some hoodlums stormed the station in the morning, wearing charms.

"Their intention was to unleash mayhem on the police station and burn it down. Our men were finally able to disperse the crowd and they arrested Azeez. He is currently in our custody."

Braide however refuted claims that the police had recklessly shot Lekan, saying they acted in self-defence when the commercial motorcyclists regrouped and started beating and brutalising the police officers.

"As I talk to you, one of the police officers is currently hospitalised. He was horribly brutalised by the mob and they left him with severe injuries," she added.
However, the Chairman, Commercial Motorcycle Riders Association, Ladega
Branch, Mr. Kayode Jimoh, disputed the police claim.

Contrary to police claims that Ajayi, who was married with two wives and four children, had engaged the policemen in a scuffle, Jimoh said only the policemen could justify the reason for shooting an unarmed man.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umar Abubakar Manko, has however appealed for calm. Manko, while briefing reporters after the weekly State Security Council meeting chaired by the state Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), said the most appropriate thing to do was for the motorcyclists to allow the law to take its course.

He appealed to the commercial motorcyclists not to take laws into their hands, while stressing the determination of the security agencies in the state to enforce the law on the restriction of operations of commercial motorcycles.