Policeman killed in clash with community okada riders
A violent clash that erupted between commercial motorcyclists, popularity known as okada riders, and police officers in Jos North, Plateau State, has resulted in the death of a policeman.
Arewa PUNCH learnt that the incident occurred on Saturday night, March 1, 2025, at around 8:30 p.m. near Moonshine Hotel, where police officers were conducting a “stop and search” operation.
According to eyewitnesses, the Okada riders, who were allegedly violating the state government’s restriction order on their operations after 6 p.m., became aggressive when police officers allegedly attempted to extort money from them.
The situation was said to have escalated into a violent confrontation, with the Okada riders attacking the police officers with stones, sticks, and machetes.
A resident of the area, Kabir Habib, said, “The okada riders have been complaining of extortion by the police. Rather than going after criminals, the okada and tricycle riders, who were also breaking the restriction on movement order at that time, alleged that the police were busy extorting monies which ranged from N100, N200, and at other times, N500 and N1,000 from them.
“In the process, some of the cyclists and keke riders who could not take the extortion any longer mobilised themselves and descended on the security personnel, leading to chaos.”
It was further gathered that a policeman, identified as Inspector Mohammed Kile Tahir, was severely wounded during the clash and later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
The Plateau State Police Command has yet to comment on the incident.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Alabo Alfred, was unreachable for comments.
Arewa PUNCH reports that the clash has raised concerns about the safety and security of police officers and the general public in the community.
Some residents who reacted to the incident have called for an investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding the clash and the death of the policeman.
