2 Feared Dead As Gunshots Rock Asaba, Delta Govt Calls For Calm, Police Arrest 8

An orgy of violence has erupted in Asaba, the Delta State capital as Commercial tricycles and Okada riders under the aegis Arewa union in Asaba clashed with the state task force over sale of ticket.

The development has left two persons reported dead after violence broke out in the streets of Asaba prompting police deployment.

In an ensuing confrontation, police fired volume gunshots to disperse the surging Okada riders thus causing serious confusion as people scampered for safety , motorists abandoned their vehicles , while commercial activities were temporarily grounded.

Trouble broke out when the state controlled Commercial Motorcycle and Tricycle Operators Association (COMTOA) Task force was trying to execute the law on the ban of Okada and tricycle on government restricted areas but they were resisted by a group controlled by Arewa community Okada riders who overpowered the officials of the Task.

COMTOA was said to be responsible for issuing of ticket to tricycle and Okada riders in that part of the state.

It was learnt that the parallel Arewa group, on Monday took to the streets of Asaba causing mayhem over the ticketing before moving to the office of COMTOA, on Summit road.

According to the State police PRO, Bright Edafe, the protest is coming on the heels of a deadly confrontation last night between Okada riders and the state task force.

Following the reported death, Okada riders of Hausa Fulani extraction were said to have mobilize in large numbers, unleashing havoc by vandalizing properties and assaulting individuals on sight.

Director General of COMPOA, Chief Uchenna Okafor (aka Kosoko) while speaking to journalists in his office, said “the Arewa Community are trying to form their own union so that they can avoid paying money to the State Government.

“Last week Saturday, we got an information that they were about to set up a union that is different from this one the Delta State Government has inaugurated.

“We called the SA on Arewa Community and the Sarki of Asaba and they denied .At about 3pm that day, it was discovered that they had already inaugurated their own Arewa task force and that was how it started.

“They started attacking people paying for tickets through COMTOA, chasing the task force and ticket sellers but we were not deterred because the revenue is for the Government.

“Yesterday, we were around GRA with the Police to enforce the law against the movement of Keke rider from 10pm when we were attacked again and we eventually left the area.

“This morning, about 300 Arewa tricycle riders came to our office to attack us with cutlass, guns, and other arms.
They broke doors, windows, stole laptops, generator and phones. They also ran away with bikes”, the COMTOA DG narrated.

Also Speaking, the Coordinator of Arewa Community on sales of tickets, Hashima Abubakar said he is not against the sales of tickets but his people have to negotiate instead of towing the path of chaos.

Asked about the alleged killings around GRA, he said he is not aware of any killing but of persons who broke an arm and leg.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, Chief Patrick Ukah, Monday, called for calm over protests by Okada and tricycle riders in the state capital.

Ukah in a statement made available to newsmen in Asaba, after inspecting the scene of destruction in company of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu and Head of Service, Mr Reginald Bayoko condemned the action of the protesters for the wanton destruction and vandalisation of property at the Motorcycle and Tricycle Operators Association, COMTOA Secretariat.

He said the Capital Territory Development Agency was in touch with the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, the leadership of Motorcycle and Tricycle Operators Association, COMTOA, and representatives of the Arewa community with a view to resolving issues that led to the Monday’s rampage.

While appealing to residents of the capital territory for patience and cooperation, Ukah noted that Delta was known for communal living and warned that the State Government would deal decisively with anyone found to be disobeying laws of the land.

He therefore called for calm while Government deals with the issues that led to the rampage.

However, police in the state has arrested eight male suspects in connection to the violence protest at the state capital even as fifty-three motorcycles were impounded.

State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, who confirmed the development, said that the suspects were arrested after the protest was brought under control, saying that the state Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda had reaffirmed the command’s commitment to ensuring that the State is peaceful.

He disclosed that a group of motorcycle (Okada) riders had embarked on a violent protest within the Asaba metropolis, over their perceived maltreatment by members of the State Taskforce who enforces the ban on late-hour operations of tricycles and motorcycles in Asaba, at about 0800hrs.

The protesters stormed the taskforce office along summit road, ransacked and destroyed vehicles and offices.

He said that upon receipt of the information, the Assistant Commissioner of Police Department of Operations, ACP Efeizomor George, on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, led teams of operatives to restore peace and further put a halt to the rancorous demonstration within the metropolis.

“To that effect, the team of police officers successfully carried out a raid of recalcitrant motorcycle riders who were embarking on this violent and destructive protest in Asaba Metropolis, Eight (8) male suspects were arrested, and Fifty-Three (53) motorcycles were impounded”, he said.

CP Olufemi Abaniwonda reiterates the negative impact of violent protests on the economic growth of the State and therefore appeals to the public to remain calm and be law-abiding, assuring that the police command has the responsibility to ensure the safety of lives and properties, hence creating a safer and more equitable society for Deltans.