A young schoolgirl was reportedly killed after a stray bullet from the police hit her during a clash between the police and commercial motorcycle operators popularly known as Okada riders in Iyana-Ipaja area of Lagos yesterday.
Policemen trying to disperse the protesters, which had been hijacked by some hoodlums, fired bullets in the crowd, which hit and killed the little girl in the process. The incident is coming two days after Okada riders also clashed with the police at Ijora area of the state.
While the commotion lasted, bonfires were set on the road impeding movement of vehicles.
Some vehicles were also destroyed as the hoodlums hurled stones at law enforcement officers. An eyewitness said the operational vehicle of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) was burnt, while police patrol vehicles and other properties were torched during the clash, which lasted several hours.
Shops were looted by the miscreants who seized the opportunity to loot and vandalized properties.
According to an eyewitness, who identified himself as Gbenga Alawaye, the clash started when policemen allegedly went into various shops where motorcycles are being sold and attempted to impound them. The dealers, apparently, felt they have not committed any offence, resisted the police from removing the items and in the process led into chaos as miscreants joined in the confrontation that ensued.