7th July, 2011
Commercial motorcycle operators popularly called Okada this morning clashed with some officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, at Oja Oba Bus Stop, Abule Egba, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, Emma Udom.
P.M.NEWS learnt that the clash occurred following the arrest of an Okada operator by LASTMA officials for riding against the traffic.
Some Okada riders, it was learnt, came to the rescue of their arrested colleague and attacked the officials.
The riders accused LASTMA officials of extorting money from them and called on the government to call them to order.
“We are fed up with some corrupt LASTMA officials from the Agege unit who extort money ranging from N500 to N2,000 from us under the guise of reckless riding and contravening traffic rules. They don’t give us receipt for this money,†one of the riders told P.M.NEWS.
Attempt to speak on phone with Young Arebamen, the Chief Executive Officer of LASTMA on the clash proved abortive as his phone was switched off.