Okada’ Ban: How hoodlums attacked FCT Enforcement Team at Durumi

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Ministerial Task Team on Ban of Motorcycles popularly known as okada in the nation’s capital on Tuesday came under attack during an enforcement exercise in Durumi, Area 1 of Abuja, the nation’s capital city.
Our Correspondent reports that, the Team while driving through a shanties useded ask an illegal International Displaced Persons (IDP) camp somewhere in Durumi when they came under attack for yet an unknown reason.
It was gathered that despite an immediate withdrawal from from the scene of the enforcement, men and security personnel attached to the team, including journalists and some vehicles were trapped and attacked by some suspected hoodlums in the alleged IDPs camp, believed to be where motor cyclesreside.
However, the team immediately re-strategize to rescue the endangered personnel, who were trapped and held hostage by the hoodlums.
Our correspondent reports that Taskforce l used tear gas to dispatch the rampaging attackers, in order to rescue those held hostage.
Checks revealed that the injured personnel include; four Police, Two men from the Directorate of Road Services popularly known as VIO, One personnel from the Directorate of State Service (DSS), one Civil Defence Corps and two journalists. The journalist camera was sized, DSS vehicle burnt and many other vehicles damaged.
Speaking on the development, FCT Police Commissioner, Bala Ciroma while assessing the level of damage at the scene of the event, said the attack was unacceptable, which according to him, such situation where hoodlums will attack security men will not be tolerated .
He adds “ We will go after this hoodlums and ensure we bring them to book. This case will be investigated, apprehend those responsible and charge them to court”.
Meanwhile, the Field Coordinator, FCT Ministerial Enforcement Task Team, Mr. Peter Olujimi disclosed that eleven persons were wounded and were hospitalized at different hospitals across the FCT.
He added that, the suspected hoodlums were occupants of an illegal IDPs camp in the area, saying, “ We have cone to Durumi in Area 1 to enforce the law on the ban of motorcycles when they attacked us, and burnt DSS vehicle amongst several other valuables destroyed.”