Missing Okada rider found dead in Ekiti state

A commercial motorcyclist has been found dead five days after he was reported missing in Ekiti State. 

This is coming a week after the Okada Riders Association, Ekiti State chapter, raised the alarm over incessant killings of their members. 

The deceased was a notable member of the association around Iworoko-Ekiti and Ekiti State University campus, Ado-Ekiti.

It was gathered that his lifeless body was found dumped at a popular junction known as Road 10, in Iworoko-Ekiti at the early hour of Saturday, May 25, 2024. 

A source close to the community said the 38-year-old man left home very early in the morning on Tuesday, May 20, 2024, but never returned.

The source added that before his body was found, the family had been thrown into confusion and agony, and had gone to lodge report about their missing person at some police stations within Ado-Ekiti. 

“Hope was lost when his dead body was found dumped at Road 10 junction. The development has led to fear and confusion by the residents and students living in the area, especially among his colleagues, who expressed worry over the repeated cases of attacks on their members in recent time,” the source said.

Members of the Commercial Motorcycle Riders Association, Ekiti State chapter through its Chairman, Mr Kunle Asaolu, recently raised the alarm over incessant attacks and killings of his members by unidentified group of people in the state. 

Asaolu who lamented over what he called, “grievous experience facing my members in the state,” called on the security operatives to redouble their efforts in ensuring the security of lives and property of his members.

The Okada riders, in an effort to nip the situation in the bud, had convened an emergency meeting with security agencies in the state to brainstorm on the way out and possible solution to the strange occurrences.

The frequent attacks and killings of Okada riders in the state have been happening since February in the state, where no fewer than 23 Okada riders have mysteriously lost their lives.

The spokesperson of the State Police Command, Sunday Abutu, confirmed the incident.