The Lagos State Police Command has reported that suspected motorcyclists, whose motorcycles were seized by authorities, were responsible for the attack on a BRT bus on Wednesday in the Orile area of Lagos. The police clarified that this was not a case of armed robbery, but rather a reaction from the motorcyclists in response to the seizure of their motorcycles by the Lagos State Taskforce on Environment and Special Offences.
Command spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin explained that the task force had conducted a raid on commercial motorcyclists operating on BRT lanes and other prohibited roads, resulting in the seizure of several motorcycles. Some motorcyclists who resisted arrest during the raid were also apprehended.
In retaliation, a group of angry motorcyclists reportedly mobilized and attacked the nearest Lagos State Government facility they encountered, which happened to be a BRT bus. The bus driver, intimidated by the situation, fled the scene, leaving the bus vulnerable to vandalism by the motorcyclists. Although there have been claims of robbery during the incident, no formal reports have been made to the police.
This incident follows the task force’s impounding of 164 motorcycles on Tuesday for violating the Lagos State Road Transport Sector Reform Laws of 2018, which prohibits motorcyclists from using all highways in the state.