It was a free for all fight as market women joined Motorcycle Riders, popularly known as ‘Okoda’ to fight off officials of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority, DESTMA,
allegedly trying to extort money from one of the riders.
The action which took place at the popular Otovwodo junction, in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the State, It was gathered the fight resulted between the Okada Riders and DESTMA Officials commonly called Okowa Police as a result of the refusal of an Okada rider to part away with money allegedly demanded by one of the official.
An eyewitness stated that the fracas started when the bike riders refused to stop for a check by the group of DESTMA officials on duty.
According to the eyewitness who pleaded anonymity, the refusal of the bike man who was on motion to stop immediately, forced one of the uniform men to push the bike carrying a passenger on its track l, causing the rider and its passenger to fall sustaining injuries and their phones smashed beyond repair.
“Immediately, the bike man got up with the passenger and attacked the DESTMA official who fought back with his fellow uniform men against other bike men and marketer women who later joined the fight,” The source alleged.
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Another source who identifies himself as David Okohwake who described the officials pointed that, the officials were neither road safety officers nor police and as such, lack the legal right to stop and check bikes and demand for particulars.
He said, “They are always stationed at Otovwodo and Omotor junctions waiting for motorcycle riders to be arrested if their instant demands are not meant.
“If there is any law that allows them to stop and ask for particulars, does that law limit them to market places only in Ughelli or motorcycle riders only.
“It is the duties of the police to stop and demand for vehicle particulars if they suspect something but in this case, DESTMA Officials are taking over the duties of the police and Road Safety”, Okohwake said.
Efforts to speak with the Ughelli North DESTMA DG, Desmond Adu, was not successful as calls and terse messages sent to him were not replied nor returned as at the time of filing this report.
