Two  killed as Okada riders clash with task force in Asaba

Two persons have been reported killed in Asaba, the Delta state capital, following a dispute between commercial motorcyclists, popularly called Okada riders, and members of a task force.

On Monday, some motorcyclists blocked the Okpanam road axis, Midwifery area of Asaba, to protest the killings.

In a viral video on X, the protesters were seen blocking roads, as the police officers deployed to the location opened fire.

Commenting on the incident, Bright Edafe, police spokesperson in the state, in a post on X, said the protest took place on Monday morning.

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Edafe said the protesters had a dispute with the task force, adding that the ensuing kerfuffle led to the death of two persons.

“There was a violent protest this morning by Okada riders who had an issue last night with the state task force that led to the death of two persons,” he said.

“They mobilized in their numbers this morning destroying properties and beating people, hence our men were deployed to control the situation before it turned into something else.”

Last week, 16 army personnel who were on a peacekeeping mission, were killed in Okuoma community, Bomadi LGA of Delta state.