The Motorcycle Operators Union of Nigeria (MOUN), Lagos State branch, has strongly condemned the alleged killing and attack on the police team at WEMPCO Junction, Mobil Road, Agege, Lagos, which occurred last Saturday, involving loss of life, describing the jungle justice approach in seeking redress by the affected okada riders in the area as uncalled for.
It would be recalled that an accident occurred at WEMPCO Junction, Mobil Road, Agege, Lagos last Saturday morning when a police team came under heavy attack of some irate Okada riders, during which a senior police officer was killed.
The incident, as confirmed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Police Command, occurred as a commercial motorcyclist rammed into the rear of a goods-laden truck (trailer), resulting in the unfortunate death of that motorcyclist.
MOUN, Lagos State branch spokesperson, Comrade Raji Rasak, Publicity Secretary, MOUN, Lagos State Branch, made the remark in a statement, copy of which was made available to newsmen on Thursday, even as it distanced itself from motorcyclists who allegedly perpetrated the fatal attack on the police team and the killed police officer, saying that were not registered members of the body.
Rasak, while condemning the sad development in its entirety, avowed that the MOUN was totally opposed to self-help, mob action and jungle justice in seeking to redress real or perceived wrongs of road traffic accidents in general and accidents involving commercial motorcyclists.
This was just as he noted that an involved motorcyclist could be the negligent or reckless party in accidents, occasioning injuries requiring orthopedic attention or unfortunately in death or manslaughter, among others, saying that regardless of the party that suffered injury or loss of life in the accident, spontaneous vengeful attack should not be the next action.
According to him, “The logical next action should be provision of immediate medical attention to those who may be injured at the scene of the accident, cooperating with intervening police officers to maintain peace, law, and order, and working with law enforcement to bring about investigation so that justice could be served in the circumstances.
“It is for this reason MOUN, in its current engagement with the Lagos State Government, is emphasizing collaboration and self-regulation through unionization. Self-regulation, through unionization, will curb the spontaneity of MOUN believes that once the Lagos State Government finalizes the ongoing MOUN’s certification for operation in Lagos State, MOUN will be strengthened to comprehensively register its members in Lagos State.
“MOUN regrets the loss of lives involved in this incident, commiserates with the family of the senior police officer who lost his life, and condoles with the Nigeria Police Force for losing the officer in the line of duty. MOUN, Lagos State Branch shall pay a condolence visit to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, in due course. “
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