Police Seize 140 Motorcycles, Arrest Passengers

The Lagos State Police Command on Wednesday seized 140 motorcycles and arrested 16 passengers and riders as enforcement of the ban on the operation of okada riders in the state commenced.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said 94 of the motorcycles were impounded by the police, while others were seized by men of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Enforcement Agency.

“There was over 90 per cent compliance, but some motorcyclists still came out and we arrested and charged them to a mobile court.

“Sixteen passengers and motorcyclists were arrested; the majority of the motorcyclists did not carry passengers and some of the motorcyclists abandoned their motorcycles after sighting policemen,” he added.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on May 18, 2022, announced the ban on okada riders at a meeting with the state Commissioner of Police, Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers at the State House in Alausa.

A resident on United Estate, Sangotedo, Joseph Martins, said there was an unusual absence of okadas in places where they usually converged.

He said, “Inside United Estate in Sangotedo, there were no bikes functioning; it was strange. I have been driving from Surulere to Eti-Osa, Sangotedo, and I haven’t seen any bike, except dispatch riders.”

A resident of Lekki Phase 1, Yomi Idowu, said bikes were not working in the area.

A commuter, Ajala Adebayo, who lives at Sango, Ogun State, and works at Ikeja, asked the Lagos State Government to regulate the operation of the riders.

Adebayo said, “I used to take okada to beat time whenever I was running late to office. But now, I have to leave my house on time just to beat traffic.

“The ban is going to affect a lot of things, but eventually, the positive will outweigh the negative effects.

“The rate of okada accident is high, which is caused by lack of regulation for okada riders.

“Okada business is a means of livelihood for youths, especially graduates who cannot secure employment after years of graduation.”

The Director, Press and Public Affairs, Lagos State Task Force, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, said there was no resistance from the okada riders during the enforcement operation.

“Task force officers are everywhere in the affected areas; another team has just been deployed to Abule-Egba,” he added.

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