A violent confrontation broke out at Soka Junction in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, as commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as okada riders, clashed with officials of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) over the enforcement of the state’s QR-coded jacket policy.
The clash left at least five OYRTMA officials injured and several operational vehicles vandalised, while traffic flow in the busy corridor was temporarily disrupted.
The enforcement exercise, initiated by the OYRTMA Chairman, Major Adesagba Adekoya (rtd), began earlier in the day as officials moved out from the agency’s headquarters around 8:15 a.m. to monitor compliance in parts of the city, including the Olodo axis.
Initial operations in areas such as Orita-Aperin and Olomi were largely successful, with compliance checks carried out and some non-compliant riders apprehended without incident.
However, tensions escalated when the team arrived at Soka Junction around 11:10 a.m., where officials reportedly encountered widespread non-compliance with the QR jacket directive.
Efforts to engage and sensitize riders on the importance of the policy were initially met with mixed reactions.
According to reports, resistance soon intensified, allegedly led by the unit chairman of the park, triggering a breakdown of order. The situation quickly degenerated into violence as a group of aggrieved riders attacked the enforcement team using stones and wooden objects.
Several officers sustained injuries during the attack, with one reportedly hit in the chest. Personnel of the Amotekun Corps, who accompanied the officials as security backup, were also assaulted and briefly disarmed during the chaos.
The escalating violence forced the enforcement team to retreat from the area. In the aftermath, four OYRTMA operational vehicles were severely damaged. Three of the injured officials were said to be receiving treatment in hospital, while others were treated for minor injuries.
Reacting to the incident, OYRTMA Chairman, Major Adekoya, condemned the attack, describing it as unacceptable and a direct challenge to lawful authority.
He maintained that the QR-coded jacket policy is a critical measure aimed at improving security, ensuring accountability, and properly regulating commercial motorcycle operations across the state.
Despite the setback, he affirmed that enforcement of the policy would continue, adding that those responsible for the attack would be identified and prosecuted.
