OYO: Two reported dead as prison officials, motorcyclists clash in Ibadan

TWO persons have reportedly died in a clash between officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) and commercial motorcyclists operating in Agodi-Gate area of Ibadan, the state capital city.

The pandemonium, said an eyewitness, started when officials of the correctional service insisted that the commercial motorcyclists who ply Iwo-Road-Bashorun-Akobo axis would not be allowed to park wrongly at the frontage of the prison yard.

It was gathered that what started as a mere warning later erupted in a fracas when the motocylists defied the instruction.

Sources said the warders had to use teargas canisters’ to scare the motorcyclists.
Two persons were feared dead during the crisis while many sustained injury.

Meanwhile, the correctional authority has not confirmed the casualties as at the time of filing this report.

While the crisis lasted, many shop owners, traders and business operators in the vicinity quickly lock their shops for the fear of being attacked while commuters and other road users ran helter-skelter.

A source said, “We have to hurriedly close our shops, some of us ran away while some closed their shop while they were still inside the shops.”

NCS, Oyo State Command’s Public Relations Officer, Olanrewaju Anjorin confirmed the clash to journalists but said normalcy has returned to the area.

Anjorin said, “There was a little misunderstanding between the officers and some Okada riders. They normally pack at entrance to the prison. We usually told them to move downward.

“We did it the same way today and there was a little misunderstanding. But, I can tell you that normalcy has returned. Nobody shot and Operation Burst has been stationed there”.

Also speaking on the clash, the Police Public Relations Officers (PPRO), Oyo state Command, Olugbenga Fadeyi in a statement denied some media report alleging the police to be behind the crisis.

He said “Contrary to the currently trending news online, that police men fired shots leading to injury at Agodi gate area this morning.

“The truth is that there was a clash between officers of the Correctional Service and bike men stationed at Agodi Gate.

“Upon receipt of this information, police men as well as other security agencies moved to the scene to ensure there’s no breakdown of law and order that could lead to coordinated attack on the prison facility.

“Police men fired no shot. Further development will unfold and be communicated later.”