5 OYRTMA officers injured, vehicles vandalised during QR jacket enforcement in Ibadan

By Adejayan Gbenga

Five personnel of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) have reportedly sustained injuries, while several operational vehicles vandalised during a violent clash with commercial motorcyclists whilst trying to enforce the QR-coded jacket policy in Ibadan.

The incident occurred at Soka Junction, where the confrontation disrupted traffic and raised fresh concerns about resistance to the ongoing enforcement exercise.

According to reports, the enforcement team, constituted under the directive of OYRTMA Executive Chairman, Adesagba Adekoya, commenced operations early in the day, leaving the agency’s headquarters at about 8:15 a.m. for the Olodo axis.

During the initial stage, several non-compliant riders were apprehended, while compliance checks were successfully carried out in Orita-Aperin and Olomi areas.

However, trouble began around 11:10 a.m. when the team arrived at Soka Junction and observed widespread non-compliance with the QR jacket directive. Officials reportedly stopped to sensitise riders on the policy, but faced resistance, allegedly led by a unit chairman at the park, thereby escalating into violence.

Western Post gathered that some aggrieved riders attacked officials using stones and wooden objects, leaving one officer with chest injuries and others sustaining varying degrees of injuries.

Furthermore, security personnel from the Amotekun Corps, who accompanied the team, were also attacked and temporarily disarmed. The clash forced the enforcement team to withdraw from the area with three injured officers and four damaged vehicles.

Reacting to the incident, Adesagba Adekoya condemned the attack, describing it as barbaric and an assault on lawful authority, reiterating that the QR jacket policy was introduced to enhance public safety, curb criminal activities, and establish a reliable identification system for commercial motorcyclists across Oyo State. He assured that enforcement of the policy would continue despite the attack, adding that those responsible would be identified and brought to justice.