A yet-to-be-identified policeman was killed on Wednesday by rampaging motorcyclists protesting against the enforcement of the ban on commercial motorcycle operations in the Cele-Ijesha area of Lagos State.
During the clash, according to The Punch, the motorcyclists also injured a Divisional Police Officer who was said to be part of the team enforcing the ban in the community.
During the enforcement around 11am on Wednesday, it was learnt that the policemen accosted a motorcyclist plying the Mile 2-Cele axis
In an attempt to seize the motorcycle, the motorcyclist resisted and other motorcyclists who witnessed the incident intervened to support their colleague and which resulted in a clash with the policemen.
An eyewitness, who did not want his name in print for security reasons, told The Punch that during the clash, one of the policemen attempted to use his gun to scare the motorcyclist and his colleagues away, adding that the motorcyclists overpowered the policeman and allegedly killed him.
The eyewitness said, “The policemen were trying to arrest one of the motorcycle riders shuttling the Cele-Ijesha and Mile 2 areas. It was while the motorcyclist was resisting arrest that other motorcyclists intervened and demanded the release of their colleague’s motorcycle.
“When the policemen refused and tried to drive the motorcyclists away, they refused to back down and stopped the policemen from leaving the spot. Then, one of the policemen tried to scare them away with his gun but they overpowered him and killed him.”
Another eyewitness, who gave his name simply as Dehinde, said the policemen hurriedly left the scene after realising that their colleague had been killed.
He said, “Immediately the policeman was killed, his colleagues who ran away called for reinforcement and by the time they returned, the motorcyclists had fled. They were also seen brandishing different weapons while leaving the scene of the clash.”
The clash caused tension in the area as commuters and traders scampered to safety to avoid being hurt.
Before the clash that resulted in the death of the policeman, it was learnt that a joint team of police and military personnel had, during a raid, seized motorcycles from motorcyclists operating in the area despite the ban on their activities.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, while reacting to the development, said two suspects had been arrested, adding that 41 motorcycles were impounded.
He said, “While enforcing the existing ban on the use of motorcycles in parts of Lagos State, policemen attached to the Isolo Division came under attack from motorcycle riders at Cele Bus-Stop, resulting in the death of an Inspector and serious injury of the Divisional Police Officer.
“Two suspects have been arrested while 41 motorcycles were impounded. The Lagos State Police Command will not be deterred from carrying out its mandate of enforcing duly established laws.
“Also, people should stop peddling fake news as no gun was snatched during the attack.
“Citizens are urged to remain law-abiding, as riders and passengers alike arrested on prohibited routes will face the law.
“Above all, any form of attack on policemen will no longer be tolerated.”
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