Angry 'Okada Riders' Protest Alledged Police Extortion

Angry Motorcycle Operators popularly known as 'Okada Riders' have on Wednesday carried out a massive protest against officers and men of Masaka Police Division, Nasarawa State, over alleged extortion.

A police source who confirmed the incident said, the protest was a result of the incessant extortion of N5,000 by policemen on patrol, over flimsy excuses. 

According to the source, some of the police officers are in the habit of intimidating, harassing, and extorting the okada riders, which he said gave rise to the protest.

He added that for any motorcycle impounded by police officers on patrol, the owner is forced to pay at least five thousand naira before its release.

He further lamented that the action of his colleagues was becoming worrisome and should be checked to avoid any unforeseen breakdown of law and order by the angry protesters. 

When contacted, the Division Police Officer (DPO) of Masaka Police Division, Aaron Kaura denied the allegation of extortion levelled against his men, stating the protest was a result of a  misunderstanding between the operators and their executives as well as plate number issues.

He said he has addressed the protesters and normalcy has returned to the area.

One of the protesting motorcyclists, Haruna Sidiku lamented that they have suffered so much in the hands of the police officers as sometimes they have no option but to hand over their daily pay to them.

"This their attitude towards us is not good, we are just trying to put food on the table for our family members, it is not every okada rider that is a tout. Unnecessary extortion every day at the end of the long hard day the take home is nothing this is so frustrating," Sadiku said.

Meanwhile, the okada riders, who besieged the police station, had demanded that all motorcycles seized be released to their various owners with immediate effect, threatening that protest will continue unabated if their request is not granted.