At least five persons have been reportedly killed and houses set on fire in a clash between traders and okada riders at Dei Dei, a community in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
A resident confirmed that what triggered the crisis was an accident involving an Okada bike man and the reactions led to the break down of law and order in the community.
When the accident happened, the traders allegedly attacked the rider, whom they blamed for recklessness which led to the death of the passenger.
The okada riders colleagues reportedly moved to rescue him from the attackers and the situation degenerated afterwards.
Another account has it that the driver of the trailer which crushed the passenger to death was attacked and some persons mobilised to defend him.
“Five persons that I know have been killed in this incident. We have been calling for security intervention to no avail,” said the resident who pleaded anonymity.
“We are really worried that this crisis is tilting towards ethnic dimension.”
However, the situation was saved from degenerating into a major crisis when security operatives moved to the scene and prevented further violence.
The Abuja incident happened at about the time Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu reimposed a ban on Okada riders in some areas of Lagos over the killing of a sound engineer.
The engineer was killed and set ablaze in the Lekki axis of the State last weekend.