Crisis in Oyo as policeman allegedly kills commercial motorcyclist, passenger

There was pandemonium in the ancient city of Oyo, Oyo State on Thursday as commercial motorcyclists known as Okada riders protested the alleged killing of one of them and a passenger by a policeman.
The Durbar Police Station area of the town became a no-go area as okada riders battled policemen for close to one hour.
When they were overwhelmed by the policemen, they called for reinforcement from other parts of the town.
Hundreds of okada riders with leaves were seen racing to the scene.
Anti-riot policemen from other stations were mobilised to check the rampaging okada riders.
Their grouse was the killing of one of them and a passenger by a policeman.
Freedom Online learned that the crisis started when the driver of an unpainted commercial car loaded with woods was stopped ‘for settlement’ at Kosobo/ Hollywood Junction.
The driver insisted that since he didn’t commit any offence, he would not part with any cash.
His confrontational attitude was said to have infuriated one of the policemen who immediately seized the key of the car and attempted to drive it to Durbar Police Station.
Said a source: “I have a feeling the policeman doesn’t know how to drive. After a few metres, he rammed the vehicle into an Okada man who was carrrying a passenger. The impact was so severe that the okada man and passenger died on the spot. The policeman managed to escaped and when fellow okada riders saw the lifeless bodies, this infuriated them”.
Commercial motorcyclists, traders and sympathisers immediately stormed the police station “but it was like colleagues of the policeman were trying to shield him”.
Several canisters of teargas were used to disperse the protesters.
Traffic was also distrupted at the ever-busy Durbar point along Oyo/Ogbomoso highway.
Calm was later restored but heavily-armed policemen were seen at the entrance of the police station.
The gate was also locked from inside.