March 18, 2013 by Simon Utebor
An Anti-corruption group, Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, has asked the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Mr. Umaru Manko, to expose and prosecute policemen behind the death of an okada operator last Wednesday.
The group alleged that the okada rider, identified only as Rahman, was allegedly chased to death by some policemen on patrol at Akowonjo Roundabout in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos.
CACOL, in a petition by its Executive Chairman, Mr. Debo Adeniran, to Manko, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent, said since the enforcement of the Lagos State Traffic Law started, many motorcycle operators had witnessed an unprecedented brutality from the officers of the Nigeria Police.
It said, “The development has led to the death of some okada riders. The recent is the death of an okada rider, Rahman, who was allegedly chased to his death by some policemen on patrol at Akowonjo Roundabout, Alimosho Local Government, Lagos on Wednesday, March 14.
“The deceased was reported to have been crushed to death by a fast-moving vehicle about 6pm on the said date while trying to evade police arrest.
“As concerned Nigerians, our coalition sees the urgent need to put an end to all extra-judicial measures being meted out to these motorcycle operators in Lagos State and curtail the excesses of the men of the Nigeria Police.
We also want the command to reduce, if not put to an end, the hardship an average motorcyclist faces on Lagos roads since the law took off.”
The group also demanded the immediate withdrawal of policemen from the non-restricted routes.
It urged the police boss to educate his men on the need to follow due process when arresting violators of the traffic law.
It added, “CACOL therefore urges you to, as a matter of urgency, put an end to lawlessness and aberration being perpetrated by your men and save the state from degenerating into anarchy as some motorcycle operators have resolved to taking laws into their own hands by engaging some policemen in reprisals.
“Above all, we advise you against allowing the Lagos State Government to use your men for the implementation of its numerous anti-people policies. The onus rests on you to do what is right and just.”