Some operatives of the Kano State Road and Traffic Agency on Tuesday clashed with commercial tricycle riders on Zaria Road close to Kofar Nasarawa Bridge, leaving many commuters stranded.
PUNCH Metro gathered that during the confusion that ensued, some touts attacked passers-by, leaving many people injured.
An eyewitness who simply identified himself as Sani told our correspondent that trouble started when some officials of KAROTA dragged a tricycle rider who refused to comply with traffic rules.
In the process, he said passengers were injured while the tricycle was damaged.
He said, “KAROTA officials asked a tricycle rider to stop but he kept moving. The KAROTA officials dragged the tricycle which led to the fall that damaged the machine and a passenger sustained injury on the shoulder.
“Shortly after, tricycle riders stormed the KAROTA office adjacent to the scene of the incident, leading to a fracas between the two parties.
“It was the timely arrival of the police that brought the situation under control.”
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of KAROTA, Nabilusi Naisa, confirmed the incident, saying that police have been informed and they are investigating the matter.
Naisa said, “We were informed of altercations between tricycle riders and KAROTA personnel today (Tuesday). We informed the police and they have taken charge of the situation.
“They will investigate and report to us their findings which will be made public. If it’s our operatives that are found wanting, they will be punished accordingly. If it’s the tricycle rider that was wrong, he will also be punished accordingly to serve as a deterrent.”
Tricycle riders and KAROTA officials have been at loggerheads over the alleged high-handedness of the traffic officials against the tricycle operators.
The state governor, Abba Yusuf, recently changed the leadership of the agency to reposition it and bring changes to its operations.
