burnt beyond recognition in the fire set up by protesters

An unidentified commercial motorcycle rider, otherwise known as okada rider, on Tuesday died in a bonfire made by protesters in Ketu, Lagos, after he was hit by a commercial bus on top speed.

The okada rider was burnt beyond recognition in the fire set up by protesters at Ile-ile Bus Stop on Ikorodu Road in Ketu, Lagos.

Eyewitnesses told our correspondent that the okada rider was about 15 metres to the bonfire when he was suddenly hit and dragged along by the bus said to be coming from Ojota.

The okada rider was said to have slowed down as he approached the bonfire and contemplated whether to turn back or meander through the fire, when the door of the accelerating bus suddenly hooked a part of the motorcycle and dragged him into the fire.

Eyewitnesses said while the door of the bus also fell in the fire, the driver sped through the fire unhurt.

The bonfire was reportedly made by the protesters in the early hours of the day to restrict vehicular movement on the road and enforce compliance with the strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress.

When one of our correspondents visited the scene at about 8.15am, firefighters were there making a belated effort to put out the fire.

The body of the victim burnt beyond recognition, along with the motorcycle and door of the hit-and-run bus, were at the scene at the time our correspondents left the area around 10.31am.

Policemen, numbering 15, who had arrived the scene after the incident, made efforts to put out the other bonfires on other spots along the road.

None of the residents and sympathisers, who gathered around the burnt body, could identify the victim.

An eyewitness, who identified himself simply as Ikenna, said the bus took a wrong way when he hit the okada rider.

He said, “Around 8am, the okada rider, carrying two passengers was riding through Ketu Bus Stop, but couldn't see properly because of the smoke emanating from the burning tyres.

“The okada rider asked the two passengers to come down so he could navigate the road to a considerable point.

“However, the bus suddenly sped past, hitting the two passengers and the okada rider. It pulled the rider into the bonfire.

“The rider and his motorcycle were burnt completely while the two passengers sustained minor injuries.”

It was learnt that about two hours after the incident, another man was knocked down by another commercial bus in the area.

Ikenna said the victim, who died on the spot, was a hoodlum extorting money from motorists plying the road.

He said, “Hoodlums took the opportunity of the protests to extort money from the few motorists who were passing by Ketu Bus Stop and harrassed those who refused to give them money.

“One of the hoodlums wanted to collect money from a commercial bus when he was suddenly knocked down and killed on the spot.”