Tension as Taraba youths demand justice for murdered okada rider

THERE was palpable fear in Wukari Local Council of Taraba State yesterday, following the alleged murder of a commercial motorcyclist by suspected robbers.

The Guardian learnt that the incident occurred on Sunday when the suspects asked the victim to take them somewhere on his motorcycle.

However, they ended up killing him on the way and took away his motorcycle.

The remains of the murdered commercial motorcyclist, identified as Friday Isaac John, were recovered in Gidan Idi village on Sunday. Wondering why they ended up killing him on the way, the family members asked the state government, security operatives and the leadership of the council to assist in bringing the perpetrators to book.

But there was tension yesterday, when the suspects were arrested by soldiers while attempting to sell the victim’s motorcycle in Wukari, the administrative headquarters of Wukari council.

But for the swift intervention of security operatives and the council chairman, jungle justice would have been meted out on the suspects by irate youths.

Local commercial motorcyclists, who spoke with The Guardian via telephone, said permanent peace in the area will only be achieved when the suspects who are currently in police custody are brought to justice.

Confirming the development, the council chairman, Agbu Samaila Dauda, said: “The okada man was killed by two Itulu boys, and the boys were apprehended by soldiers in Wukari.

“As a matter of fact, when the news of the killing of the young okada man spread round the town, there was tension. The local commercial motorcyclists, who followed the army to the bush and retrieved the corpse of the deceased demanded that the two Itulu boys be released to them so that they could be killed.

“The refusal by the soldiers to heed to their demands led to a peaceful protest, because they were not happy.”