A physically challenged tricycle rider, Olaosebikan Adewale has been assaulted during a clash that ensued between commercial motorcyclists and tricycle riders in Osogbo, capital of Osun State.
It was gathered that the motorcyclists popularly known as Okada riders at Rano Area of Osogbo, were asked to move to Iyana camp area where Keke riders stay and join them in picking passengers at the Ota-Efun area.
However, the development did not go down well with Keke riders who insisted that Okada riders should not take passengers at Iyana camp.
Trouble started recently when an Okada operator picked a passenger at Iyana camp. Some Keke riders prevented the bike man from transporting the passenger and chased him out of the vicinity.
Few minutes later, the enraged Okada man mobilized some leaders of the Okada association at Rano and stormed Iyana camp where they attacked and injured Adewale who was sitting in his Keke not minding that he is physically challenged. His tricycle was also damaged.
Timely intervention of personnel from Ota-Efun Police Station in Osogbo, prevented the clash from escalating.
THE POINT gathered that two Okada riders were arrested at the scene of the pandemonium by the police.
Owing to the interventions of disability rights activists including Funmilayo Abdullahi, Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities in Osun State, Oluwafemi Stephen and Ayobami Oyetunde, the Executive Secretary of the Bureau of People with Disabilities in the state, the issue was later resolved at the police station.
“The Executive Secretary promptly arrived at the police station, where the Okada riders’ executives apologised to the disability community and signed an undertaking to compensate Adewale and replace the damaged tricycle glass. Adewale received medical attention at Atman Hospital, and the Okada riders promised to repair the tricycle.
“The Ota Efun police division handled the case with inclusivity, upholding the PWD’s rights. This incident showcases Osun State’s commitment to protecting PWDs, thanks to stakeholders’ collaboration,” Abdullahi said.