Tricycle Burnt, Motorcycle Destroyed As MC’s Oluomo Boys Strike Iju-Ishaga/Fagba

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

Following an alleged plan by Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya, a.k.a MC Oluomo, to take over parks and garages in Lagos as a result of his appointment as Chairman Lagos State Parks and Garage Authority, on Monday, his boys allegedly wrecked havoc at Iju-Ishaga and Fagba side of the state.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the boys attacked some members of Tricycle Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria (TOOAN), over whose right it is to controls the park at the Fagba junction.

At the scene of the incident, a tricycle was completely razed as the owner ran for his life during the fracas. Other commercial tricycle operating in the area also got damaged by the hoodlums while attempting to take over the parks.  

Some motorcycles were also destroyed while business activities in the area came to a halt due to fear of attacks during the fracas. 

The owner of the tricycle, which was burnt during the fracas, Rasheed Olagunju, said they saw thugs move his tricycle from where he packed it to the main road before setting it on fire. He claimed he was lucky not to have been in the tricycle when the incident happened as he went to use the toilet. 

Another tricycle, whose operator was not available, had its windshield broken.

Casualty figure was not known as at press time but the TOOAN members after the incident marched to the Ifako- Ijaye Local Government Secretariat demanding for the quick intervention of the Executive Chairman and the Legislative arms of the Council. 

One of the protesters carrying a placard, who identified himself as Razak, claimed tricycles riders were disturbed by the development, saying they want peace at Fagba junction and the entire Agege area, adding that MC Oluomo and his boys should desist from interfering with their business in the area. 

He claimed that since the law of Nigeria allows anyone to associate with any group of choice, they should be allowed to continue with TOOAN. He claimed that the association, unlike other Unions, has given so much to the members and on many occasions had come to the aid of tricycle operators attending to all their various needs. 

Another operator, who would not want his name in print, claimed that they got notice of an impending attack on TOOAN members at Oyemekun.

He said, “At first, we thought it was a joke and were going about our businesses. Suddenly, we saw the hoodlums with guns and dangerous weapons threatening everyone and destroying our bikes”. 

“We scampered for safety; packed our tricycles and went for cover but for the quick intervention of some TOOAN members who came to chase them away.”

He however, appealed to the Lagos State Government to call MC Oluomo to order. He cautioned Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu not to overheat the polity with the decision to foist MC Oluomo on the tricycle operators in the state. 

Efforts to get Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya (MC Oluomo) to react to the matter proved abortive as his contact was not available as at press time. 

The TOOAN Lagos State Secretariat in response to our correspondent’s request for their own side of the story claimed that a statement was released on Sunday by the State Council drawing the attention of the Police Authorities to plan by Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya to commit mayhem on TOOAN members across the state. 

The Council noted that the cases are being considered while the level of casualties is being taken. They promised to file the case against the perpetrators as soon as investigations were concluded.

 The State Council had earlier raised alarm over plans by MC Oluomo to cause mayhem in Alimosho, Ifako-Ijaiye and other parts of the state on Monday when he paid a courtesy visit to the palace of Oba Rilwan Oluwalambe, Oba of Ojokoro land in Ojokoro Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, with some group of suspected cultists to take over parks and garages in the area while threatening to take over Ojokoro by all means.

The association alleged MC Oluomo of visiting other areas in Alimosho and other parts of Lagos State to prepare his boys for the mayhem on Monday.