close
Monday, May 16, 2022

Lagos police arrest Okada riders for burning passenger to death over N100

The incident coincided with the Sokoto mob attack against Deborah Samuel.

• May 15, 2022
Lagos police commissioner, Abiodun Alabi
Lagos police commissioner, Abiodun Alabi

The Lagos police command says it has arrested four persons in connection with the murder of passenger in Lekki over N100 transport fare balance.

On May 12, the passenger identified as David Sunday and his friends were assaulted by a group of commercial motorcyclists popularly known as Okada riders.

Mr Sunday was brutalised and later burnt to death by the mob.

Police spokesman in Lagos, Benjamin Hundeyin, said four suspects have been arrested and an investigation is underway.

“Four persons have been arrested and there is a manhunt ongoing for the fifth person; investigation is ongoing,” Mr Benjamin told People Gazette by telephone on Sunday.

In a social media post on Saturday, a Twitter user, via the handle, @thecoloredpen, alleged that a mob attacked a group of musicians in Lekki, along Admiralty road on Thursday evening.

She claimed that Mr Sunday and his friend who mounted the motorcycle had an argument with the Okada rider, leading to the death of the passenger.

The witness said the argument got heated and other riders supported their colleague and pounced on Mr Sunday and his friends, beating them till they became unconscious.

She said Mr Sunday’s friends, Frank (saxophonist) and Philip (keyboardist) are currently receiving medical treatment in the hospital.

“A group of musicians in Lagos had “regular” to play at Beer-bar along Admiralty road that evening. The sound engineer and keyboard player who mounted the same bike had an argument with the okada man (an aboki guy) which resulted in what became a cold-blooded night,” @thecoloredpen tweeted.

“The other okada riders (that were of the same tribe) came out and tried to avenge their “brother”. To cut the long story short, try were beaten to a pulp and the sound engineer lost his life right there.”

She added, “As if that was not enough, the sound engineer was burnt right there on the road. To make matters worse, the saxophonist that was to play for the night heard about what was happening while the fight just ensued and he went to try to settle not having a full grasp of what was really going on.

“On getting there, he was also beaten to a pulp. The saxophonist (Frank) and the keyboardist (Philip) had to be taken to the emergency unit of the hospital where they were later admitted. Philip plays for D’banj Frank plays for Phyno.”

Another witness of the incident, @bukola_wonder, corroborated her story on Twitter

The witness said the mobs lynched on the victim after he had argument with the motorcyclist over an increased price when he alighted at his destination.

The incident coincided with the Sokoto mob attack against Deborah Samuel who was lynched by fellow students of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Wamako.

The mob accused Ms Samuel, a Christian, of denigrating Prophet Muhammad.

Ms Samuel was violently stoned to death and set ablaze, sparking local international outrage that the government and security agencies and currently grappling with.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Asisat Oshoala

Sport

Barcelona: Oshoala wins Pichichi award for highest goalscorer

Despite being plagued by a succession of injuries, the Nigerian striker scored 20 goals in the league to pip Real Madrid attacker Geyse, who had 19, to the award.

Education

Deborah had foul mouth; Islamic fanatics killed her to prevent another blasphemy: Bauchi Commissioner for Education Aliyu Tilde

“The stupidity that the girl showed is so horrific that no Muslim would take it mildly,” the Sokoto education commissioner added.

States

Kogi: Police begin manhunt for MFM member’s kidnappers

Police commissioner Edward Egbuka in Kogi has ordered police operatives to begin a manhunt for the kidnappers of a middle-aged widow in the state.

Politics

I’m APC’s youngest presidential aspirant, most experienced: Amaechi

Being 56 years old, the youngest among the APC presidential aspirants and the most experienced…, Mr Amaechi said he would be the right candidate.

States

Deborah Samuel: Police begin ‘observation patrol’ in Kaduna

“The CP reminds residents of the recent ban on religious protest of any kind, and has warned that violators would be promptly dealt with.”

Politics

Emefiele’s Presidential Ambition: PDP thrives on nagging, says group

“We are aghast that a party like the PDP …. is the one tagging the Buhari government and Emefiele as corrupt.”