Abuja Okada Riders Attack Residents, Set Houses Ablaze over Colleagues’ Death

Pat Stevens/

Scores of commercial motorcyclists, popularly called okada riders, today attacked Global Estate in the Galadimawa area of Abuja, to avenge the death of two colleagues.

NewsmakersNG learnt that the incident happened when a motorist ran into the estate for safety after allegedly hitting the Okada riders.

Residents of the estate told journalists that the motorcyclists attacked the estate in their bid to arrest an unknown motorist.

They added that the motorist was chased by many motorcyclists after he overran two of them.

It was further learnt that the rampaging motorcyclists had already set ablaze two houses in the estate before the arrival of security operatives.

The estate manager, Mr Adebisi Adelowo, while speaking with newsmen on the incident, said the attackers were over a hundred. 

He said, “Over 100 Hausa bike riders attacked our estate some hours ago. They tried to burn down the estate by putting fire on two buildings.

“They pulled down our gate and started stoning people’s houses. We couldn’t stop them until the police and the army intervened.

“We later learnt that they attacked our estate because two of their colleagues were knocked to death by a motorist who ran to our estate for safety as he was being chased with big stones and other dangerous weapons.

“The motorist, who is not even a resident of our estate, ran into the estate because he noticed a police post in front of the estate.”

The FCT Police Command, while confirming the incident, said its officers had restored normalcy in the affected area.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, DSP Josephine Adeh, the incident happened at about 1.30 pm.

She said the attack followed a hit and run accident involving a motorcycle and car.

The police, however, denied that any house was burnt during the incident.

She said the Commissioner of Police, in charge of the FCT, Mr Babaji Sunday, was on the ground with heavy deployment of operatives to restore normalcy in the area.

“It is imperative to equally state that contrary to information flying about, no house was burnt,” she said.

Adeh pledged the commitment of the command to ensuring the safety of lives and property within the FCT.

She enjoined the public to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses without fear of harassment and molestation of any kind from any quarters.

Adeh called on residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or abnormal occurrence to the Police through 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, and 08028940883.

She said the Public Complaint Bureau (PCB) desk of the command could also be reached on 0902 222 2352.

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