Tension in Ado Ekiti over motorcyclists’ clash

A MID-DAY clash by two rival groups of commercial motorcycle operators popularly known as okada riders, enveloped Ado Ekiti in Ekiti State in tension as passers-by and shop owners started scampering to safety to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
People were seen locking up their shops and making for dear life while motorists were trapped in traffic jam.
The clash which started at Bawa Estate soon spread to other areas of the town, throwing everywhere in disarray that took an ugly twist when both parties resorted dangerous weapons such as machetes, broken bottles and axes.
It was gathered that daily takings from tickets to motorcycle operators was behind the feud.
An okada rider that fought on one of the sides said they clashed with the other side in reprisal of an attack on one of their members who was manhandled around Bawa Estate for failing to obtain ticket from their rivals.
Public Relations Officer of commercial motorcyclists in Ekiti State, Yomi Afolalu said that the association will investigate the cause of the crisis to discipline erring members.