A commercial tricycle operator has died following a confrontation between police officers and tricycle riders in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.
The incident occurred at about 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, around the Road Block area of the city and sparked protests that disrupted traffic movement in the area.
According to reports, the situation began during a police patrol operation when an officer allegedly attempted to arrest a tricycle rider by jumping out of a patrol vehicle. The action reportedly led to an accident involving two passenger-carrying tricycles.
The incident triggered outrage among fellow tricycle operators, who gathered at the scene and blocked the road in protest, causing a major traffic gridlock.
Witnesses said the protest later escalated after police officers deployed teargas to disperse the crowd.
Some of the protesters alleged that a police officer shot one of the tricycle operators, leading to his death. They also claimed that tensions had been brewing between commercial tricycle riders and police personnel over alleged extortion during night-time operations.
However, the Taraba State Police Command denied the allegations that officers fired live ammunition during the protest.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Victor Mshelizah, said the deceased was one of the riders involved in the initial accident and was not shot by police officers.
According to him, officers were conducting a stop-and-search operation when a tricycle rider allegedly attempted to evade the checkpoint by driving into the wrong lane, resulting in a collision with another tricycle.
Mshelizah further stated that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area confirmed that no shots were fired during the incident.
He added that two other victims—a man and a woman who sustained serious injuries in the crash—were taken to a hospital for medical treatment.
The incident has generated concern among residents, while authorities continue to monitor the situation.
