There was palpable tension at area 1 in Abuja the nation’s capital on Tuesday after some commercial motorcyclists reportedly destroyed properties over allegations that the Nigerian Police killed two of its riders and seized their motorcycles.
It was gathered that the incident occurred at about 6:00 pm when most workers were returning home.
The irate motorcyclists reportedly descended on anything in sight, including moving vehicles.
Similarly, several persons were said to have been injured during the incident as they scampered for safety.
According to eye witness account, the motorcyclists who were on retaliation mission blocked a major road and attacked many vehicles with stones and sticks.
He said: “The situation is getting serious at Area 1. We heard that two of their members were killed by police and they are angry and they attacked people randomly. They destroyed many vehicles on the expressway. They were just throwing stones at all vehicles, breaking their windscreens.”
Truthlive.net learnt that it took the intervention of armed policemen from Durumi Divisional Police Headquarters to disperse the angry motorcyclists and restore calm to the area.
Meanwhile, the angry motorcyclists are said to have regrouped under a bridge where they set a bonfire, thereby causing more tension for the residents in the area.
In a statement while commenting on the incident, Spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, DSP Josephine Adeh, confirmed that no life was lost.
According to her, at least 20 motorcycles were seized by the operatives of the Durumi Divisional Police Headquarters for violating the ban on motorcycles in some parts of the FCT.
Her words: “Following the ban of motorcycles in some parts of the FCT by the FCTA, the FCT Command having held several meetings with the various heads of motorcycle units across the Territory activated an enforcement exercise at the various Divisional and Area command AORs.
“Today 26th July 2022, motorcycles numbering about 20 were arrested by Operatives of the Durumi Divisional Police Headquarters on an Enforcement round for violating the ban.
“The motorcycles were taken to the Division and subsequently handed over to the VIO for screening. Upon sighting the VIO at the Division, the errant motorcyclists in their number decided to obstruct the VIO from moving out of the station and started attacking the officers.
“The police swung into action, dispersing the violent motorcycles who took to the street to express their displeasure. No life was lost nor properties damaged. Normalcy has since been restored. The command urges members of the public not to panic, and to go about their lawful business while monitoring of the area and surveillance continues.”