Tension in Abuja as Okada riders, security operatives clash; residents, passersby run for safety

There is tension in Abuja, the nation’s capital on Sunday as some commercial motorcyclists popularly known as Okada riders clashed with security operatives.

It was gathered that the Okada riders stormed at near St. Mary Catholic Church along Nyanya-Karshi Road in Abuja protesting the alleged incessant killing of colleagues and stealing of their motorcycles.

An eyewitness said that the protesters resorted to violence which aroused tension in the area as residents were fleeing for their lives.

He added that “there have been reported cases of bike theft around Karu road, this issue has been on for a while now until the Okada riders decided to carry out a protest today”.

Our reporter learnt that trouble started when the protesting Okada riders blocked the Nyanya-Karshi Road, leaving motorists stranded.

The protesters were said to have burnt used tyres on the main road.

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They were also said to be attacking security agents drafted to the scene with stones.

The development caused panic among residents and passersby who ran to safety.

Churches located in the area were said to have locked their members inside the premises to avoid falling victims to the crisis.

Those most affected by the crisis are people living around Karu, Nyanya, Jikwoyi, Kurudu, Orozo and Karshi among other settlements in the Abuja Municipal Area Council.

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Our reporter gathered that some soldiers are currently in the area shooting sporadically to disperse the protesters.

Soldiers are currently firing gun everywhere and the protesters who are mostly Hausa boys are running back to their base, Newsflash Nigeria reports.

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer in the Federal Capital Territory, Maryam Yusuf confirmed the incident.

“According to her, “they are protesting the death of one of their colleagues.

“However, we have been able to restore calm and the command has launched an investigation into the incident”.

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