A tanker driver has escaped of being lynched by an angry mob after noticing that he has killed a commercial okada rider, one Jemilu Sulaiman, along Ikorodu road in Lagos state.

The accident happened at about 9:30 am today, Wednesday at Itamaga area when the tanker laden with fuel and the commercial motorcyclist journeyed their way inward Ijede.

Eyewitnesses’ account, however, had it that the incident was caused by the potholes on Itamaga/Ijede road as both vehicles were trying to avoid the potholes during which the tragedy occurred.

According to Vanguard reports, the deceased, Jemilu Sulaiman, and a male passenger were said to be riding side by side the tanker when it meandered and the rider was crushed to death by the rear tyre.

Fortunately, according to the report, the male passenger escaped unhurt and was full of appreciation to God.

 The reports said the incident sparked violence in the area as co-riders and sympathisers rushed to the scene to take charge of the situation by apprehending the tanker driver just as street urchins hijacked the situation by attempting to lynch the tanker driver and set the tanker ablaze.

When Vanguard visited the scene, people were running for their dear lives shouting on top of their voices and protesting that the tanker should not be set ablaze because of the content. However, information got to Policemen from Area N and Igbogbo Division who rushed to the scene to put the situation under control. Also, some chieftains of Okada riders association rushed to the scene to remedy the situation and calm down the irate mob. The matter was incident at Igbogbo Division just as the deceased family said they were not interested in any court case and arrangement concluded to prepare the deceased for burial.

Vanguard reports said that as at 2 pm, vehicular and commercial activities were paused for a while until normalcy later returned to the area as the riders held various meetings.