COMMERCIAL Cyclists in Ipetu-Ijesa in Oriade Local Government area of Osun State weekend went on the rampage burning two police vehicles and badly damaged the Divisional police station in the town.Two other vehicles marked "operation fire for fire" and the official quarters of the police officers in the town were also vandalised by the irate mob.

During the two days rampage between the Okada riders and the police in the town, two people were shot dead while two policemen received serious injuries and are now hospitalised.According to sources trouble started when a police driver on duty was allegedly accused of causing the death of an Okada rider in an auto accident last Saturday.

The Okada riders in the town mobilised themselves and set two vehicles belonging to the police ablaze and badly damaged three others in the process.They also carried their protest to the Divisional police station and the police official residence in the town and damaged the building while their property were also allegedly looted by the mob.

Anti-riot policemen were drafted to the town to prevent further loss of lives and properties.Addressing policemen on guard to keep peace after he was conduced round the damaged properties by the DPO, Mr Hyacinth Ugochukwu, yesterday the State Commissioner of Police Mr Audu Abubakar described the incident as an avoidable one.

He warned the policemen against indiscriminate use of fire arms against the civilians saying there was no policeman who is above the law."Under whatever circumstance, two wrongs cannot make a right. There is no law in Nigeria that says policemen are above the law. Infact, policemen are guided by two laws, the criminal and disciplinary laws".

"I understand you have to do what you did as a result of the adamant position of the Okada riders, but unless there is need to protect lives and property you should not shoot" he added.

At the palace of the traditional ruler of the town Oba Adekunle Baderin the CP commiserated with him on the death of his two subjects during the clash and commended him for the way he handled the matter.

Oba Baderin expressed the regret of the community over the incident and assured that the community would repair the damaged properties.

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