Five Oyo traffic officers injured, vehicles damaged in clash over jacket enforcement
From Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan Five officials of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) were yesterday injured, while several vehicles damaged, following a clash at Soka Junction in Ibadan
From Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan
Five officials of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) were yesterday injured, while several vehicles damaged, following a clash at Soka Junction in Ibadan during the enforcement of the state’s QR-coded jacket policy on commercial motorcyclists.
The confrontation, which reportedly involved aggrieved riders, disrupted traffic flow in the area and raised fresh concerns over resistance to the ongoing exercise.
The enforcement team, set up by the Executive Chairman of OYRTMA, Major Adesagba Adekoya (rtd), had started operations early, departing the agency’s administrative headquarters about 8:15 a.m. for the Olodo axis.
During the initial phase of the exercise, several non-compliant okada riders were apprehended, while compliance checks were successfully carried out in the Orita-Aperin and Olomi areas.
Trouble began about 11:10 a.m. when the team arrived at the junction where the officials observed non-compliance with the QR jacket directive and halted riders, in a bid to sensitise them on the importance of the policy.
While some groups within the park responded positively to the engagement, resistance soon emerged, allegedly instigated and led by the Unit chairman of the park. The situation quickly escalated into violence.
A group of aggrieved riders attacked the officials, hurling stones and wooden planks. One officer was reportedly struck in the chest, while others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Personnel of the Amotekun Corps, who accompanied the team as security backup, were also attacked and temporarily disarmed.
The confrontation forced the team to withdraw from the scene. In the aftermath, four vehicles belonging to the agency were damaged.
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As of the time of filing this report, three injured personnel remained hospitalised, while others were treated for minor injuries.
The Chairman of OYRTMA, Major Adekoya (rtd) condemned the attack, describing it as “barbaric, unacceptable, and a direct assault on constituted authority.”
He said: “Our officers were on lawful duty to enforce a government policy designed to ensure security, accountability, and proper regulation of commercial motorcycle operations across Oyo State. It is deeply unfortunate that they were met with such violent resistance.”
Adekoya emphasised that the initiative is aimed at improving public safety, curbing criminal activities, and creating a reliable identification system for okada riders.
“We will not be deterred by acts of violence. The enforcement will continue, and those responsible for this attack will be identified and brought to justice,” he added.
