Chaos in Ondo as okada riders, ticket sellers clash over multiple levies

Scores of Okada riders and ticket sellers were injured during a violent clash in Akure, the state capital, following disagreements over alleged multiple levies imposed on the riders.

The confrontation, which broke out in several parts of the Akure metropolis, was allegedly caused by mounting tensions over the collection of daily levies from commercial motorcycle operators.

The riders accused ticket sellers of demanding additional payments after they had already settled similar charges, leading to a breakdown of law and order in the state capital and leaving people scampering for safety.

With the development disrupting commercial motorcycle operations in some parts of the capital, the riders protested over what they described as multiple and unauthorised collections.

One of the riders, Jimoh Akindele, accused the council boss of directing ticket sellers to collect additional levies from operators despite payments already made for similar purposes.

“We see this as double taxation because we cannot imagine Hon. Fasua selling an emblem for riders in Akure South. He claimed it was meant for Akure South Local Government and they are collecting N7,000 from us as total package.”

Reacting to the allegations, Fasua denied knowledge of the controversial collections, saying the alleged emblem was not authorised by him and that no proceeds from its sale had accrued to Akure South Local Government.