A commercial tricycle operator lost his life following a confrontation involving police officers and tricycle riders in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.
The incident, which occurred around 5pm at the Road Block area of the city, sparked protests by tricycle operators and caused significant disruption to traffic movement.
Eyewitnesses said the situation began during a police patrol operation when an officer reportedly attempted to apprehend a tricycle rider.
The action allegedly led to a collision involving two passenger-carrying tricycles.
The development triggered outrage among fellow operators, who converged on the scene and blocked the road in protest.
Residents said tensions escalated after security operatives deployed teargas to disperse the demonstrators.
Some protesters alleged that a police officer shot one of the riders during the unrest, leading to his death.
They further claimed that disagreements between tricycle operators and police personnel had become frequent, particularly over allegations of extortion during night patrol operations.
However, the Taraba State Police Command dismissed claims that its officers shot the deceased.
The command’s spokesperson, ASP Victor Mshelizah, said the victim was one of the riders involved in the accident and did not die from gunshot injuries.
According to him, police officers were conducting a stop-and-search operation when a tricycle rider allegedly attempted to evade the checkpoint by driving against traffic, resulting in a collision with another tricycle.
Mshelizah said the Divisional Police Officer in the area had 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 immediately taken to a hospital for medical attention.
The police spokesperson maintained that investigations into the incident were ongoing to establish all circumstances surrounding the clash and subsequent death.