Jos Boils Again As Government Clamps Down On Commercial Motorcycles

JOS, PLATEAU, June 07, (THEWILL) - Scores of people were injured in Jos, Plateau State as commercial motorcyclists popularly known as Okada riders tried to resist arrest following the implementation of the law banning their operation by the state government.

Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau state had signed the bill banning okada operation in Jos into law since two months ago but decided to implement it today.

There was stampede in Jos for over two hours as people ran helter skelter in the wake of the commotion as the men of the task force fired gunshots and tear gas into the air.

But the okada men resisted the attempts to arrest them as they organized themselves into groups and threw stones at the men of the task force. Several people were injured in the process.

The area of action was restricted to the Terminus area of Jos but the ripple effect reverberated throughout Jos as people closed their shops and offices and ran for safety.

President of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN) Babangida Shehu Mai confirmed but regretted the incident saying he has received reports that several of his members were affected.

In reaction the Plateau state government said the ban was aimed at restoring sanity, law and order in the areas affected during the last January 2010 crisis.

The commissioner for Information who signed the statement said enough grace has been given.

His words: "enough grace was given to all operators of commercial motorcycles in the state to brace up to the new reality."