Mayhem as accident sparks riot in Dei-Dei

By Stanley Onyekwere

A minor motorcycle accident in Dei-Dei, a popular settlement off Kubwa expressway, Abuja, yesterday caused a serious riot, leading to the killing of at least two persons killed, five motor cycles and several vehicles destroyed in the area.

It was gathered that that the riot ensued after a motorcyclist (okada rider) allegedly knocked down a woman by the roadside near the timber shed in the area, who sustained serious injury.

 According to eyewitness, this led to a heated argument among the motorcyclist and onlookers, who were milling around the scene of the accident, whensuddenly, the motorcyclist brought out a dagger and stabbed five people.

Narrating the incident, an eyewitness said, “On reaching the place to board a bus to town, I met people arguing and shouting at themselves, in front of the corner shops by Tomatoes junction, around the Timber Shed, and before I could understand what was happening they started fighting.

“I later found out that one of the people arguing  was stabbed in the head  and died immediately, thereby fueling more reactions, resulting to the death of a few others.”

Similarly, another eyewitness, who gave his name as Obinna, said when he arrived the scene, he saw two dead bodies and five bikes, including some vehicles smashed.

It was also gathered that as the event unfolded, the major road leading to other areas was blocked with serious traffic, leaving people stranded while motorists were seen abandoning their cars and running to safety.

 The situation was however brought under control, following the timely intervention of a joint team of Mobile policemen and other security agencies deployed to the area restore peace, with some of the security men also sustaining injuries in the process.