Tricycle Operator Dies as Police, Tricycle Operators Clash in Taraba

A tricycle operator was reportedly killed on Tuesday during a clash between police officers and commercial tricycle operators in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, an incident that sparked a protest and major traffic disruption.

The incident occurred around 5 p.m. at the Road Block area of the city during a police patrol operation.

Witnesses told Daily Trust that a police officer reportedly jumped out of a patrol vehicle in an attempt to arrest a tricycle operator, leading to a collision involving two tricycles carrying passengers.

The incident sparked anger among tricycle operators, who gathered at the scene and blocked the road in protest. Some protesters alleged that a police officer shot one of the operators, resulting in his death, and claimed recurring disagreements with police — particularly over alleged extortion during night operations — had contributed to the tension.

However, ASP Victor Mshelizah, the Taraba State Police Public Relations Officer, denied that officers opened fire on protesters.

“The deceased was one of the tricycle operators involved in the accident and not a victim of police shooting,” Mshelizah said.

“Officers were conducting a stop-and-search operation when a tricycle rider, on sighting the police, drove into the wrong lane in an attempt to evade the checkpoint and collided with another tricycle,” he said, adding that the Divisional Police Officer confirmed no shots were fired.

Two other victims — a man and a woman — sustained serious injuries in the collision and were rushed to hospital for treatment.

Sources: Daily Trust