Okada rider manhandled, stripped naked by policemen

Barely one week after suspected policemen reportedly shot dead a commercial motorcycle rider (okada rider) at Agege area of the state for allegedly violating the new traffic law in Lagos State, another okada rider was Thursday allegedly manhandled and stripped naked for the same reason.
Eyewitnesses stated that the okada rider was arrested at the junction between the University Road and St. Finbarr’s College Road, Akoka, by suspected policemen in mufti, who were positioned along the road enforcing the new traffic law.
One of the eyewitnesses stated: “The policemen descended on the Okada rider, beating him mercilessly and then stripping him naked.
“It was after people who had gathered to watch the scene begged them>
“That was when they stopped the inhuman treatment and allowed him to put on his clothes.”
When contacted, the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, stated that she was not aware of the incident.
Braide said: “Can you send me the pictures because I don’t know about this.
“I will find out what really happened but I am not aware of the incident.”
It was observed that policemen are strict in enforcing the ban on commercial motorcycle riders on restricted roads in Lagos State and this has taken the toll on residents who do not have personal means of transportation.
Officers attached to the Bode Thomas Police Station, led by the Area Commander and the Divisional Police Officer, were seen carrying out massive clampdown on okada riders at Ojulegba Bridge and environs.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Umaru Manko, had warned commercial motorcycle riders to adhere strictly with the new traffic law as policemen will not spare any rider contravening the law.
Manko said: “If I am riding on okada today and I an riding on a restricted road, I will be arrested.
“We are enforcing the law to the letter.
“Okada riders in the state are advised to adhere to the new law as no one contravening the traffic law will be spared.”