Hyacinth Chinweuba
Lagos State Government has prosecuted seven motorcyclists over an attack on officers of the Lagos State Task force while enforcing order on motorcycle operators plying restricted routes around Oworonsoki, Adeniji Adele junction, Obalende, Falomo, Lekki Phase (1) and Ikoyi link-bridge area of the State.
The Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi disclosed that 7 motorcycle operators were arrested over the weekend for attacking Officers of the Agency with stones, bottles and Iron-rod while on legitimate mission to arrest motorcyle operators plying restricted routes.
CSP Egbeyemi disclosed further that 4 Officers of the Agency were seriously injured with stones, bottles and Iron-rods around Lekki Phase (1).
He confirmed that during the enforcement operations carried out around these areas 92 motorcycles were impounded for plying restricted routes including highways and bridges
“During the enforcement operations some suspected motorcyclists started shouting and calling the attention of their colleagues in their native language, thereafter other motorcycle operators from no where started throwing stones, bottles and Iron-rods at my Officers”
CSP Egbeyemi who enjoined other relevant stakeholders to support the Agency in curbing this ‘Okada’ menace said it was a rude shock seeing motorcycle operators now shuttling and struggling right of ways with motorists on Ikoyi link-bridge, Falomo, Lekki Phase 1, Adeniji Adele including Obalende.
He stated that while 2 Police Officers got injured with heavy stones on their heads, 2 other paramilitary Officers were attacked with broken bottles on their legs.
According to the Chairman “The government would no longer tolerate the slightest attack on officers and men of the Agency, as just recently a Police Officer with the Agency died as a result of serious injuries he sustained from miscreants and hoodlums while on enforcement duty around Mile 12 area”
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police CP Zubairu Muazu after well briefed about the incident condemned the attack in a very strong term and warned that the Police under his watch will not tolerate criminal attacks and assault on its personnel or facilities.
He however directed the Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi to immediately charged all those arrested to court for prosecution.
All the arrested suspects have been arraigned in court as directed by the CP, to serve as deterrent to others who may want to act in like manners.