Scores of okada riders and residents of Ilorin, Kwara state on Thursday, October 19, protested over an accident allegedly caused by a vehicle belonging to the Nigerian Correctional Service.
The incident took place in the early hours at the popular Emir’s Market in the Oja-Oba area of the metropolis.
Eyewitness accounts said that the vehicle of the prison had broken failure and rammed into by-standing okada riders and others in the market.
The vehicle wounded some people at the market and Niger area of the metropolis.
A source said an angry mob who were disenchanted with the unfortunate incident attacked and vandalised the bus escorting prison vehicle conveying inmates to court.
The zonal spokesperson of the Motorcycle Riders Association, AbdulAkeem Sulaiman, urged the state government to ensure justice for their members.
He said those injured in the accident were out in search of their means of livelihood to feed their families.
Sulaiman appealed to the authority of the Nigeria Correctional Service and the state government to intervene in the matter.
Reacting, the spokesperson of the Kwara state command of prisons Olumide Adegbulugbe absolved the prison authorities of any blame
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Adegbulugbe said: “Some hoodlums in a premeditated move at Ọja Oba roundabout boisterously made a tumultuous attempt to break into the convoy of the custodial vehicles conveying high profile inmates. This resulted in a pandemonium which saw the correctional vehicle damaged, shattered, and battered.
“These obviously led to injuries sustained by both Okada riders and some of the custodial personnel. Two of the custodial vehicles which managed to secure their passage were again waylaid and attacked at Niger Road Junction. The personnel of the Correctional Service was able to manoeuvre their way to the court.
“However, those who sustained injuries have been moved to the hospital for medical attention and are responding to treatment. No life was lost so far.”
Also in his reaction, the spokesperson of the state police command, Ajayi Okasanmi said normalcy had been restored to the areas where the protest took place.
He said the police would take necessary steps to ensure Justice is done for those affected in the incident.