Okada Riders Protest Killing of Colleague in Ogun Over N100 Levy
Commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as okada riders, staged a protest in Ijoko, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Council of Ogun State, after one of their colleagues was killed during a dispute with transport union levy collectors, while the state government on the same day shut two fuel stations in Abeokuta for violating environmental regulations.
The incident that triggered the protest occurred on Tuesday night after an argument reportedly broke out over a N100 ticket fee.
One of the levy collectors, commonly called agberos, was said to have drawn a knife during the confrontation, leading to the death of the rider at the scene.
The killing sparked outrage across Lambe, Agbado and Akute communities, as scores of motorcyclists took to the streets, confronting agberos and demanding justice for their slain colleague.
A rider identified as Rasheed said two persons were injured during the confrontation, but one survived.
He said, “They were fighting over a N100 ticket. It started as a small argument before it escalated on Tuesday night. The person who was killed is one of the motorcyclists from Nasarawa. His colleagues are the ones now confronting agberos in Lambe, Ijoko and parts of Akute.”
Efforts to get official confirmation from the Ogun State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, did not respond to calls or messages as at the time of filing this report.
It was, however, gathered that the police arrested some persons during the clashes.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Government shut down two fuel stations — Conoil Fuel Station, Ibara, and Moore Fuel Station, Asero, both in Abeokuta — for failing to provide public conveniences.
The state Ministry of Environment said the outlets violated the Environmental Management (Miscellaneous Provision) Law 2006 and the Ogun State Public Health Law 2020.
Ordering the closure after an inspection by the State Taskforce on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement, the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said Conoil Fuel Station, Ibara, had no public toilet despite its long presence in the area, while Moore Fuel Station, Asero, had dilapidated facilities.
He said Conoil would remain sealed until functional toilets are provided, while Moore Fuel Station must rehabilitate its facilities before reopening.
Oresanya added that the action would serve as a deterrent, warning that any public outlet found without functional conveniences would be shut until corrective measures are taken as part of efforts to eradicate open defecation in the state.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
