JUST IN: Abuja okada bikers go on the rampage, setting homes on fire

The excesses of commercial motorcyclists known as Okada Riders were once again on show in Abuja on Sunday afternoon, when they invaded a housing estate in the Lokogoma section of the city to revenge the alleged murder of two of their relatives.

After a driver apparently struck the bikers and fled inside the estate for protection, around 100 motorcyclists invaded the Same Global Estate in the Lokogoma region.

Commercial motorcyclists are prohibited from operating in most sections of the city, including the major route in Lokogoma.

The rider allegedly set two homes on fire while attempting to arrest the driver, according to residents of the estate.

Mr Adebisi Adelowo, the estate manager, stated of the event, “Over 100 Hausa bike riders invaded our estate some hours ago.” They set fire to two structures in an attempt to burn down the estate.

“They smashed our gate and began stoning people’s homes.” We weren’t able to stop them until the police and soldiers arrived.

“We subsequently found out that they assaulted our estate because two of their comrades were killed by a driver who fled to our estate for protection while being followed by large stones and other deadly weapons.

“The driver, who is not even a resident of our estate, drove into it because he saw a police station in front of it.”

A few days earlier, the bikers set fire to the Dei Dei Building Materials Market after one of them smashed his motorbike into an articulated truck, killing his female passenger.

Traders had quickly apprehended his motorbike, causing the riders to go on the rampage.