A tricycle rider lost his life during a confrontation between police officers and commercial tricycle operators in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State. The incident took place around 5:00 pm on Tuesday, June 16, at the Road Block area of the city.
Details of the Incident
According to reports, a police patrol operation was ongoing when an officer reportedly jumped out of a patrol vehicle in an attempt to arrest a tricycle operator. This action led to an accident involving two tricycles carrying passengers, as reported by DailyTrust.
The incident infuriated tricycle operators, who gathered at the scene and blocked the road in protest, causing significant traffic disruption. Residents told the publication that the protest escalated after police officers fired teargas to disperse the crowd.
Allegations and Denials
Some protesters alleged that a police officer shot one of the operators, resulting in his death. They also claimed that there have been recurring disagreements between tricycle operators and police personnel, particularly over alleged extortion during night operations.
However, the Taraba State Police Command denied the allegation that officers opened fire on protesters. The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Victor Mshelizah, stated that the deceased was one of the tricycle operators involved in the accident and not a victim of police shooting. He explained that officers were conducting a stop-and-search operation when a tricycle rider, upon sighting the police, drove into the wrong lane in an attempt to evade the checkpoint and collided with another tricycle.
Mshelizah added that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area also confirmed that no shots were fired. He said two victims, a man and a woman who sustained serious injuries in the accident, were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
