February 27, 2015 – The Lagos State police command says it has charged 18 suspects to court for the mayhem that occurred in Oshodi in the early hours of Wednesday, leaving at least three people dead.
The command also said it has henceforth banned union activities among road transport workers in Lagos, collection of dues as well as blanket ban on sales of alcohol in garages in the state.
Commissioner of Police in the state, Kayode Aderanti, who spoke after an emergency state security council meeting with the governor late Thursday, said another 22 have been arrested and also due for prosecution today.
Aderanti said the tragic incident was reviewed, with a decision to henceforth ban all transport union activities, including dues collections and sales of alcohol in all garages in Lagos.
He noted that all the prohibitions were contained in the Lagos State Road Traffic Law 2012, and would now be enforced to the letters, to prevent another motor-park crisis.
The commissioner observed that three people died and about eight vehicles were destroyed in the clash between rival motor-park touts.
According to Aderanti, the crisis is not political and not as bad as the media painted it, adding that all the principal character are in custody.
“Today, we arraigned 18 of them and they are already in jail. Tomorrow, another 18 will be arraigned. I’m not talking about the foot soldiers, but their leaders that are causing the mayhem and what we need to do is to get the arrowheads off, then all the foot soldiers can be tackled easily.
“Now we are going after the gate keepers that encouraging young people into violence. By the time we destroy their command structure, then we can have peace in that area.
” Oshodi is a major hub and we have to be very careful in securing the area. We have picked at least up to 40 of them and by tomorrow, i’ve given ultimatum to one of the leaders of the group to turn himself in before we declare him wanted,” he said.
