Attack on Ipaja Police station: RULAAC call for impartial, independent investigation to unravel real cause 

Stanley Ihedigbo

One of the leading human rights groups in Nigeria, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has called for an independent, impartial and effective investigation to unravel the real cause(s) of the unfortunate attack on Ipaja Police Station with a view to taking appropriate measures to nip in the bud a repeat of such dastardly attack on the police.

According to the Executive Director of the group, Com. Okechukwu Nwanguma, they strongly condemned attacks on uniformed personnel and infrastructure.

He said that they are  seriously concerned about reports that ‘over 100 suspected hoodlums attacked a police station in Ipaja area of Lagos State’ in the early hours of Thursday, May 27, 2024.

“Reports quote ‘eyewitness account’ which had it that ‘the incident might not have been unconnected to the police raid on motorcycle riders in the area’. Reports further state that the incident led to an exchange of gunshots, but policemen repelled the hoodlums, with passersby scampering for safety in the process.

“According to a statement by the Police spokesman in the state, Benjamin Hundeyin, ‘the attackers were Okada riders, who went against an enforcement carried out by operatives of the command’,” he noted.

The Human Activist said that the attack was unfortunate and unjustifiable.

“If any group has any concerns about the activities or methods employed by law enforcement agencies to enforce laws, there are civilized and lawful approaches and channels to express or communicate such concerns. RULAAC is puzzled as to why okada riders would take recourse to such a daring attack on a police station.

“We are  aware that many okada riders have continued to defy and violate the ban on okada operations on designated routes and highways in Lagos. But RULAAC is also aware of concerns expressed by many about the excesses and the approach of some police officers in enforcing the ban on okada operations, including in some inner streets not included in the ban.

“The Lagos State Government’s ban on Okada and keke NAPEP (tricycles) exempts some areas in Lagos. The government identified 40 local government areas, local council development areas, and other restricted areas where the use of motorcycles and tricycles for commercial purposes will no longer be allowed. However, areas like Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Lekki Peninsula, and the central business district are exempted from the ban due to the belief that Okada constitutes the only means of transportation in those areas.

“But there have been complaints about some police officers going beyond the restricted areas and pursuing okada riders into inner streets where the ban does not extend to. There have also been complaints of extortion. In fact, there are reports that some police officers routinely go to collect daily or weekly ‘settlement’ from groups of okada riders in some areas in order to allow them to continue to operate without molestation within their neighborhoods. All this needs to be investigated,” he emphasized.

The group Executive Director,  stressed that there is no justification for crime and violence but the pressure of unemployment, poverty and increasing hardship, in addition to predatory approach to law enforcement, could trigger frustration and recourse to daredevil and reckless actions such as attacks on law enforcement agencies.