Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Lagos police arrest Okada riders for burning passenger to death over N100

The incident coincided with the Sokoto mob attack against Deborah Samuel.

• May 15, 2022
Lagos police commissioner, Abiodun Alabi
Lagos police commissioner, Abiodun Alabi

The Lagos police command says it has arrested four persons in connection with the murder of passenger in Lekki over N100 transport fare balance.

On May 12, the passenger identified as David Sunday and his friends were assaulted by a group of commercial motorcyclists popularly known as Okada riders.

Mr Sunday was brutalised and later burnt to death by the mob.

Police spokesman in Lagos, Benjamin Hundeyin, said four suspects have been arrested and an investigation is underway.

“Four persons have been arrested and there is a manhunt ongoing for the fifth person; investigation is ongoing,” Mr Benjamin told People Gazette by telephone on Sunday.

In a social media post on Saturday, a Twitter user, via the handle, @thecoloredpen, alleged that a mob attacked a group of musicians in Lekki, along Admiralty road on Thursday evening.

She claimed that Mr Sunday and his friend who mounted the motorcycle had an argument with the Okada rider, leading to the death of the passenger.

The witness said the argument got heated and other riders supported their colleague and pounced on Mr Sunday and his friends, beating them till they became unconscious.

She said Mr Sunday’s friends, Frank (saxophonist) and Philip (keyboardist) are currently receiving medical treatment in the hospital.

“A group of musicians in Lagos had “regular” to play at Beer-bar along Admiralty road that evening. The sound engineer and keyboard player who mounted the same bike had an argument with the okada man (an aboki guy) which resulted in what became a cold-blooded night,” @thecoloredpen tweeted.

“The other okada riders (that were of the same tribe) came out and tried to avenge their “brother”. To cut the long story short, try were beaten to a pulp and the sound engineer lost his life right there.”

She added, “As if that was not enough, the sound engineer was burnt right there on the road. To make matters worse, the saxophonist that was to play for the night heard about what was happening while the fight just ensued and he went to try to settle not having a full grasp of what was really going on.

“On getting there, he was also beaten to a pulp. The saxophonist (Frank) and the keyboardist (Philip) had to be taken to the emergency unit of the hospital where they were later admitted. Philip plays for D’banj Frank plays for Phyno.”

Another witness of the incident, @bukola_wonder, corroborated her story on Twitter

The witness said the mobs lynched on the victim after he had argument with the motorcyclist over an increased price when he alighted at his destination.

The incident coincided with the Sokoto mob attack against Deborah Samuel who was lynched by fellow students of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Wamako.

The mob accused Ms Samuel, a Christian, of denigrating Prophet Muhammad.

Ms Samuel was violently stoned to death and set ablaze, sparking local international outrage that the government and security agencies and currently grappling with.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Residents scoop fuel

States

Residents scoop fuel as tanker falls in Edo

The truck driver was said to have lost control of the vehicle while trying to ascend the hill.

Troops

NationWide

MNJTF working to eliminate Boko Haram, ISWAP in Lake Chad: Official

He urged the public not to panic by the troops’ movements but to offer support to them to eradicate the terrorists.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Bola Tinubu and Mohammed Idris

NationWide

Tinubu congratulates information, interior ministers on birthdays

The President said the minister has brought finesse and immense experience to his role as Nigeria’s image maker.

Governor Dauda Lawal

States

Zamfara govt. to deal with workers receiving multiple salaries

He advised them to support the present administration in its determination to sanitise the state civil service.

NLC TUC

States

Anambra labour unions call for establishment of civil, judicial service commissions for workers’ rights

They also called for the appointment of a special adviser on labour matters in the state.

Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises (CPPE)

Economy

Frequent changes in customs duty exchange rate bad for business: CPPE

“It is extremely difficult for investors to plan under these unstable circumstances.”