Okada riders injures many as they protest the arrest of some of their members in Lekki, Lagos

The commercial motorcyclist popularly known as Okada took to the street of Lekki area of Lagos state to protest the arrest of some of their members by the police from the Maroko division.

The policemen were said to be acting on the directive of the residents’ association to stop the operation of the okada riders in the highbrow area.

It was learnt that more than 15 vehicles parked on some roads in the Lekki Estate Phase 1 were damaged, while many residents were injured.


A security officer in the estate, who was reportedly attacked, lost consciousness.

PUNCH Metro learnt that some of the riders wielded cutlasses and held residents hostage.

They were also said to have barricaded the Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge for more than one hour and chased policemen in the estate away.

A resident, who did not identify himself, explained that the riders were banned from operating in the estate about a year ago, but the general elections prevented the police from enforcing the ban.

He said trouble started after policemen from the Maroko division started making arrests on Wednesday.

He said, “Before now, the Lekki Phase 1 Residents’ Association placed a ban on the activities of commercial motorcyclists in the estate. We had been fighting them for about a year, but every day, they grew bolder and increased in number.

“During the general elections period, they became friends with the politicians and it became difficult to stop them from operating.

“Later, the residents had a meeting with policemen from the Maroko division to assist in flushing out the motorcyclists.

“This morning, the policemen started arresting the okada riders. The motorcyclists then mobilised and returned to wreak havoc on the estate.”

One of those injured during the fracas, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said it was a “traumatic experience” that he would never forget.

He said, “They left the police who were arresting them and started attacking residents. They cannot be less than 50. They came to the residents’ association’s secretariat and chased away the policemen that were there and started breaking into offices in the estate.

“I was in one of the offices, we were about three in number, and we had to lie down. They broke the windows. God saved us.

“One of us was seriously injured, while I had bruises. The motorcyclists entered into the estate and started vandalising vehicles. My vehicle was also affected. I fled the place in panic.”

The witness said the residents’ association wanted to get rid of the okada riders because of their menace, adding that security had been affected by the influx of the motorcyclists.

The Chairman of the Lekki Phase 1 Residents’ Association, Mr. Obiora Agbu, told PUNCH Metro that some auditors working with them were injured.

He said, “Some auditors working in our office were injured. One of our security men was left unconscious and had to be rushed to the hospital. They vandalised no fewer than 15 vehicles in the estate.

“They barricaded Admiralty Way. There was no free flow of traffic for about one hour. They blocked the bridge. It was really terrible.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Nwosu, said the incident was unfortunate.

He said, “What the residents say they want is in line with keeping their neighbourhood safe. If you identify the cause of crime in your area and you want to stop it, I don’t understand why anyone should be crying more than the bereaved. There are places in Lagos where okada riders are not allowed to operate at all and nobody is complaining.

“This morning, the motorcyclists attempted to breach the public peace and we advised them against it. Those who refused and went ahead to foment trouble were arrested by our men. We have restored sanity to the area and everyone has started going about their lawful duties.”