* Arrest 2, seize 41 bikes in ban enforcement
As of Friday afternoon, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Isolo Police Station was still on admission at the orthopedic section of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) while the corpse of one of her officers laid in the mortuary, as police launched a manhunt for commercial motorcyclists who attacked them on Wednesday.
They were attacked by armed commercial motorcyclists who were resisting the seizure of their motorcycles by policemen deployed to the Cele bus stop area of the Apapa Oshodi Expressway.
The ban imposed on the activities of commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada, by the state government covers the area and the attack reportedly took place while the police officers were enforcing the restriction order.
The ban covers 10 local government areas and 15 local council development areas, including Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Somolu, Mushin, Apapa, Ikeja, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Surulere and Eti-Osa.
Worried by the attack on his men, the State Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa, on Thursday, embarked on a tour of Area E, FESTAC, to speak with his men and officers there on how to ensure proper enforcement of the ban on commercial motorcycle operation.
The spokesperson of the state police command, Benjamin Hundeyin, told Saturday Tribune in a interview that the police would enforce total compliance with the okada ban in the state.
Hundeyin said two suspects have been arrested by the police and efforts are on to arrest other suspects who participated in the attack on the policemen.
The police image maker, in responding to allegations by commercial motorcyclists that policemen are extorting them, said: “I am not aware of the allegations against the officers. It is an offence to ride where there is a ban. It is another offence to give in to extortion.”
In an earlier statement, Hundeyin said: “While enforcing the existing ban on the use of motorcycles in parts of Lagos State, police officers of Isolo Division came under attack from motorcycle riders at Cele bus stop, resulting in the death of one Police Inspector and serious injury to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO).
“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.
“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 police officers will no longer be tolerated.”
Meanwhile, the Director of Press and Public Affairs, Lagos Task Force, Mr. Gbadeyan Abdul Raheem, said the agency has been busy with the security of the state since January and there was no time it relaxed the enforcement of Okada ban.
No statewide ban, but…
However, the government has vowed to track the Okada riders who attacked the police officers on duty at the Cele area and bring them to justice. It commiserated with the family of the deceased officer.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, said this while speaking in reaction to the development.
The commissioner also dismissed insinuations that the latest attack could be an opportunity for the government to place a blanket ban on Okada business in Lagos. According to him, nothing like that is on the table for consideration.
Omotoso said the government does not work in that manner, adding that all actions are always clearly thought out and well-researched before decisions are taken.
He said: “Nothing has changed. The Lagos State government doesn’t work in that manner. All actions are clearly thought out and well researched and whoever is involved, the stakeholders would be shown clear evidence of whatever they are going to decide upon.
“But this particular one is very sad. First, on behalf of Mr Governor, I like to commiserate with the family of the officer that died and assure our security personnel that the government will continue to serve them and do everything to enhance the performance of their duties.
“Those who perpetrated the act, they would be tracked and punished as a deterrent to others. Some of them, the okada riders, are doing genuine business but those who carried weapons to attack and kill a policeman on legitimate duties would be apprehended, prosecuted and made to pay for the crime they committed.
“But we would not, because of that, consider total or blanket ban on the business. Whatever action we are going to take will be well-thought out.”