Panic gripped residents of Ajipowo, a suburb of Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Thursday, after a commercial motorcyclist, Tunde Ilesanmi, popularly known as Dudu, was lynched by a mob.
Eyewitnesses alleged that the deceased was linked to a late-night robbery operation involving two other suspects who reportedly escaped. Enraged residents descended on him, accusing him of being part of the gang, and beat him to death.
The situation took a dramatic turn when relatives of the victim arrived at the scene, insisting that he was innocent and well-known in the area as a regular okada rider.
The killing sparked outrage among fellow motorcyclists, who mobilised in their numbers and staged a protest. They barricaded major roads, disrupting movement in the area for several hours.
Shops and streets were deserted as tension mounted, until police operatives intervened, dispersing the protesters and restoring calm.
The remains of the deceased were later evacuated, while security patrols were intensified in the community to forestall further unrest.
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