•Okada riders
Pandemonium erupted yesterday at the Ajipowo area of Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State after some angry residents lynched a popular commercial motorcyclist, Tunde Ilesanmi, to death.
Ilesanmi, popularly called Dudu because of his dark complexion, was alleged to have taken part in a robbery attack in the community the previous night with two accomplices, reports The Nation.
Eyewitnesses said he was sighted in the area while dropping off a passenger yesterday morning, prompting residents who claimed to have recognised him from the robbery to descend on him.
“Immediately he was seen, they dragged him from his motorcycle and started beating him. Other residents, already angered by repeated robberies in the area, joined until he died,” a witness told our correspondent under anonymity.
However, the situation took a twist when relatives of the deceased arrived at the scene, insisting Ilesanmi was innocent and only a well-known motorcyclist in Ajipowo.
The development sparked chaos as hundreds of commercial motorcyclists stormed the area in protest, blocking major roads to demand justice for their colleague.
The protest forced residents indoors, with streets deserted for hours until police officers from the Fanibi Police Station intervened to disperse the mob and restore calm.
The body of the deceased was later evacuated from the scene.
Confirming the incident, Ondo police spokesperson, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, condemned the act of jungle justice, stressing that an investigation had been launched into the case.
