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The crisis between commercial motor cyclists and Delta State government continued yesterday as over 30 riders were arrested and scores of motorcycles impounded by security men at Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area.
This may not be unconnected with their protest against the increase in their operational tickets from N70 to N150 by the State government.
The commercial motor cyclists had over the last few days, been protesting against the hike, vowing that they would not comply with the directive.
But the security operatives stormed the Yanga Market junction of the metropolis in four Hilux pick-ups at about 10 am yesterday, arresting some of the okada riders who were gathered in large numbers and impounded their motorcycles.
Hundreds of other okada riders, on sighting the soldiers and policemen however, dispersed to different directions with some of them leaving behind their motorcycles.
A motorcyclist, Benjamin Abada, whose motorcycle was impounded, said: “I was with my colleague discussing when four Hilux pick-ups loaded with soldiers and police came chasing all okadas parked at the junction. As we were running for safety, l left my motorcycle and they took it away alongside others.”
Another rider simply called ‘’Perfect’ said “This morning, when the girls selling ticket came out for their normal sale, we refused to buy. Few hours later, the soldiers and police came arresting every Okada they could lay their hands on at the Yanga Market junction, so we ran for safety”,
Contacted, Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Delta Command, Celestina Kalu, confirmed that a lot of arrests were carried out because the riders had been causing confusion in the town.
