Minna
The police in Minna Niger state yesterday shot into the air sporadically to disperse scores of Okada riders and arrested nine of them who were protesting against operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC)
Pandemonium reportedly broke out as motorists and other pedestrians ran helter skelter to seek protection as a result of the action of the Police.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state police command, ASP Mohammed Abubakar, confirmed the incident and the arrest.
He said the accused had been charged to court for causing public nuisance
It was gathered that the okada riders embarked on the protest following what they described as the high handedness of officials of the FRSC.
It was learnt that one Okada rider was apprehended yesterday morning for road traffic offence and was taken to the state office of the FRSC.
The okada riders, according to reports, grouped and stormed the FRSC office throwing stones and allegedly hitting the staff with sticks.
In the process, four Road Safety officials were injured and rushed to the Minna General Hospital, it was further gathered.
A protesting Okada, who spoke with our reporter off camera, said “they are daily disturbing us from doing our legal business they arrest us indiscriminately and seize our motorcycles.”
During the demonstration the Okada riders were seen waving fresh leaves and breaking the trees planted in the middle of the road and obstructed free flow of traffic for several hours.
They also blocked the entrance to the state office of the FRSC on Bosso road for several hours a development that forced the police to shoot into the air to disperse the demonstrators.
All efforts to get official reaction from the FRSC were abortive as the Public Relations Officer, Raji Ejigogo, said he was not in the office to address the issue.
“I am outside the command attending to an official matter,” he said on phone.
