By Seth Akande and Hussain Joshua
Violence erupted at Sango-Ota bridge, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area in Ogun State, yesterday evening as a commercial bus driver collided with a motorcycle, killing the rider.
The fatal accident had reportedly left the Okada rider in a life-threatening condition while some passengers sustained injuries.
Nigerian NewsDirect learnt that the rider sustained head injuries and was thereafter rushed to a nearby hospital where he reportedly passed on.
Eyewitnesses’ account revealed that the commercial bus driver had flouted traffic rules by passing a one-way road, a practice which bystanders noted is gradually becoming a tradition amongst motorists plying the axis.
Following the death of the motorcycle rider, other motorcycle riders around the area staged a riot to protest the death of their colleague.
Witnesses further revealed that on Monday a similar accident had claimed the life of a bike rider at Toll Gate Area in the state.
A group of motorcycle riders launched violent attacks on bus drivers as they were seen hurling bricks and stones at commercial buses.
Consequently, a number of bus drivers were forced to flee as the protesting motorcycle riders shattered the windscreens of buses on sight.
An eyewitness who spoke with Nigerian NewsDirect on the condition of anonymity said the bus driver who was involved in the recent accident had been arrested by the police.
He said, “The bus rider passed the wrong way. The driver has been taken by the police. Bike riders said commercial buses will not pass the particular road side. They keep passing the wrong way which led to the death of bike rider. Same occurrence happened yesterday (Monday) another one today with commercial buses passing the wrong way.”
Also speaking, a commercial bus driver who simply identified himself as Bayo, explained how he discarded his bus and fled for safety, following the violence that erupted in the area.
“I don’t know what exactly happened, but as I was approaching the bridge, I saw little confusion so I decided to turn back,” he said.
“As I was turning, God saved me because I would have been killed. As I was making a turn, I got to the edge of the bridge, but they started throwing stones and different items at my bus. Even when I got down, they were still stoning the bus. I had to leave my bus to run away. I later fell into a gutter.
“I don’t know what happened exactly, but it seems the bike drivers were angry. Thanks to the police otherwise it could have been worse.”
However, the timely intervention of security operatives averted what would have escalated to a full-blown death trap for other commercial bus drivers.