There was tension in Makurdi, the Benue State capital yesterday following a sharp disagreement between some policemen attached to ‘E’ Division Police Station and commercial motorcyclists on Abu King Shuluwa Road. This led to wild protests along major streets in the town. The protesting motorcyclists popularly called Okada riders barricaded roads, made bonfires, carried green leafs and drove recklessly around major streets.
Governor Samuel Ortom had to go into the streets to address the protesters. It was learnt that trouble started when a motorcyclist drove pass a police checkpoint at ‘E’ Division and refused to stop for the policemen who flagged him down. A witness said one of the policemen at the checkpoint went after the motorcyclist and hit him on the head with a baton. He fell down from the motorcycle and became unconscious. The source added that colleagues of the victim immediately mobilised with an attempt to set ablaze the police station located on Abu King Shuluwa Road over the rumour which filtered into the town that the rider had died.
The protesters also marched to the Benue Peoples’ House where they were dispersed with teargas at the roundabout just as some of them claimed that the police killed their colleague over his refusal to part with N50. Commenting on the matter, Ortom said the victim did not die but was receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital. He urged the protesters to sheathe their swords in the interest of peace.
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