Mourners clash with touts in Lagos motor park

There was confusion on Wednesday afternoon in the Oyingbo area of Lagos State, as commercial drivers, mourning one of their members, clashed with touts at Oyingbo Motor Park.

Our correspondent learnt that the commercial bus drivers from the Mile 12 area were angry that their member was killed in the Oyingbo area about three months ago.

It was learnt that the drivers were going to bury the corpse when they diverted into the park and wreaked havoc.

A bus conductor, who pleaded anonymity, said the drivers vandalised vehicles in the park.

He said some people were also injured before the police intervened and seized the corpse from the drivers.

He said, “About three months ago, a commuter had challenged the deceased, who was a bus driver plying the Ketu-Oyingbo areas.

“The driver and the man were still arguing the matter when the commuter pulled him by the shirt. The driver just slumped and died.”

He said the case was reported at the Denton Police Station.

After the commuter was arrested and detained, our correspondent learnt the corpse was taken in for autopsy.

On Wednesday, after the body was released to the family for burial. PUNCH Metro learnt that his colleagues let out their anger against people at the park.

A source at Oyingbo said the group was angry because a driver at the park pointed the deceased out to the commuter.

“They vandalised buses and stabbed some people who have been taken to the hospital. The fight was serious. Policemen from Denton came and took the corpse from them the second time,” he said.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, confirmed the incident, but denied that the police took back the corpse.

She said, “About three months ago, a case of murder was reported where the deceased, who was a driver of Ketu/Alapere area, slumped and died under the grip of a suspect in the course of an argument.

“The case was later transferred to the State Criminal Ivestigation Departmen, Yaba. The corpse was released today for burial. But friends of the aggrieved family members and friends of the deceased diverted to the Jebba area of Herbert Macauley Street, Ebute Meta where they attempted to breach public peace.

“Police immediately intervened and five suspects were arrested as others fled the scene. The wife of the deceased left with the corpse.”