News

Okada rider dies in crash days after birthday celebration

Published

6 years ago

October 24, 2018

A motorcycle rider , Aliyu Abubakar, has been killed in a crash in the Alapere area of Lagos State.
The 24 – year – old , who was riding on Demuren Road, had reportedly overtaken a vehicle when he collided with a tipper on the road .

An eyewitness, Labi Ajibola , said the victim died on the spot.

He said , “ From what I gathered, the motorcyclist overtook a vehicle in front of him ; he then rammed into the tipper . The passenger on the okada sustained minor injuries . ”
A friend of the deceased ’ s brother , Ibrahim Ndanayibi , said Abubakar had recently celebrated his birthday .

While blaming the incident on potholes , he said motorcyclists chased the tipper driver when he attempted to escape.

The 28 -year – old said , “ He celebrated his 24 th birthday on Monday , October 8 , and died two days later .

“ Although we commercial motorcycle riders make mistakes sometimes , what caused this accident were the potholes on the road .

“ From what I gathered, after he successfully overtook the vehicle in his front , the tipper driver had tried to avoid a pothole when they collided . He somersaulted and sustained serious injuries . His right leg broke into two . ”

When PUNCH Metro visited the Chairman , Okada Riders Association , Agboyi , Ketu , Branch A , Adeleke Adegboyega , he said members of the association contacted the police when a mob wanted to destroy the tipper .

Adegboyega said , “ When I was informed of the accident , I called some members who went there . They calmed down our members who wanted to destroy the tipper that killed Abubakar . The police took the corpse to their station . The body was released to the family for burial after necessary steps were taken . ”

Our correspondent learnt that the deceased hailed from Niger State .

The leader of the Tapa community in the area , Muhammad Baba – Ndafa , said the deceased ’ s father , a member of the ethnic group , gave approval for his burial .

He said , “ As a devout Muslim community , we ensure that we bury our dead in line with Islamic rites . His father said we should not bring his corpse home and agreed that we bury him in Lagos . ”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer , CSP Chike Oti , said the tipper driver was in police custody.

Oti said , “ A motorcyclist who wanted to beat traffic rammed into a tipper that was coming from the opposite direction . The motorcyclist died on the spot. But his colleagues, who were pained by the tragic incident , had wanted to destroy the tipper when we were contacted.

“ We immediately mobilised our operatives to the scene , who doused the tension . We also arrested the tipper driver . But representatives of the deceased ’ s family said they did not want any case . They also said they needed the corpse and provided an affidavit from the court before the corpse was released to them . ”