Timely intervention of elders in Jos North Local Council of Plateau State, yesterday, averted a bloody clash between commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada riders and police men from ‘C’ Division in the council.
The motorcyclists, who came in their large numbers shouting: “Enough is Enough”, were protesting against extortion and illegal arrest by policemen in the area.
They dared police officials to come out and arrest them, promising they would violently resist it. The Guardian learnt that the police, who were overwhelmed, quickly asked for reinforcement.
According to an eyewitness, it was at this juncture that elders, who were watching to see how things unfold, quickly intervened and quelled the situation.
The elders advised police officers to take easy with motorcyclists and stop harassing them. They warned the commercial motorcyclists against confrontation with the police.
Motorcyclists, who spoke to The Guardian complained of extortion by the police, without consideration for their daily survival.
But, a police Sergeant at the scene denied the allegations, saying the police were doing their legal duty of checking vehicle documents and preventing rough driving.
In another development, both academic and administrative activities at the Plateau State Polytechnic, Jos were, yesterday morning grounded, following a protest by the institution’s casual workers over non-payment of over 24-month allowance.
