ALLEGED ATTACK OF POLICE TEAM AND KILLING OF POLICE OFFICER IN LAGOS – MOUN CONDEMNS IRATE MOB ACTION
The attention of Motorcycle Operators Union of Nigeria (MOUN), Lagos State Branch has been drawn to an incident that allegedly occurred at an accident scene at WEMPCO Junction, Mobil Road, Agege Lagos in the morning of Saturday, 19th of October 2024 in which a police team came under heavy attack of some commercial motorcyclists, and during which a senior police officer was killed by an irate mob.
The incident, according to media reports, and as confirmed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Police Command, occurred following a ramming unto the rear of a goods-laden truck (trailer) by a commercial motorcyclist, resulting in the unfortunate death of that motorcyclist. In the immediate aftermath of that accident, the commercial motorcyclists in the area reportedly massed-up, poised to visiting instantaneous mob justice on the driver of the truck, and the truck itself, by attempting to torch it.
It was further alleged that it was in the attempt by the police team drafted to the scene to prevent that crude retribution and reign of anarchy that the police team came under attack. Sadly, an Assistant Superintendent of Police who led the team was viciously attacked, and he died in the process.
Although the motorcyclists who allegedly perpetrated the fatal attack on the police team and the killed police officer are not registered members of MOUN, and, therefore, MOUN cannot take responsibility for the attack, MOUN, nevertheless, equivocably condemns the attack and the loss of life involved.
As a responsible new union being entrenched in Lagos State, MOUN is totally opposed to resorting 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. Whether these accidents occasion injuries requiring orthopedic attention or unfortunately in death or manslaughter.
MOUN is aware that in a motor or motorcycle traffic accident leading to occurrence of injury or death or damage to property, an involved motorcyclist could be the negligent or reckless party. And so, regardless of the party that suffers injury or loss of life in the accident, spontaneous vengeful attack should not be the next action. 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. It shall provide and operate a digital register of its members, document its members and weed off undocumented foreigners who are plying the trade of motorcycles operation in Lagos State through collaboration with the Immigrations Service, regulate the members effectively, reorientate them, and ensure that the phenomenon of motorcyclists massing up at scenes of motorcycle accidents for the apparent purpose of wild commiseration, and fighting and avenging perceived wrongs done to members is stopped.
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.
Comrade Raji Rasak
Publicity Secretary,
MOUN, Lagos State Branch.