Lagos unleashes 600 squad of armed Police, soldiers on Okada riders in final push to end activities, Lagosians panic
Hundreds of commercial motorcycle riders popularly called Okada riders have relocated from Lagos to Mowe, Sango, Lafenwa-Ayobo, Agbado Crossing and other towns in neighbouring Ogun state as Lagos begins final clampdown on their activities.
As the enforcement on the ban on commercial motorcycles in six local government areas of Lagos State and their local councils begins today, the Lagos State Government inaugurated Anti-Okada Squad to enforce the ban.
Okada riders react
While some of the Okada riders said that they would wait for two days to observe the enforcement exercise, Platforms Africa reports that many of them have relocated to neighbouring towns between Lagos and Ogun state to continue their trade.
“Me and my brothers have gone to Sango where we will continue our business. We have been told that business is good on the Sango-Iyana Iyesi-Atan route and instead of putting our lives under threat that can make us lose our Okada and lives, it is better to relocate from Lagos,” Yusuf Jubrila said in pidgin English in an interview with Platforms Africa.
Asked about the numbers of Okada riders that left Ikeja Lagos, Jubrila said; “about 24 of us came to Sango, more than that number went to Agbado crossing. Over 30 went to Lafenwa Itele Tollgate route and far more than 100 have relicated to Mowe Ibafo axis.”
He added that those hitherto working on the Ikorodu road have moved into Imota, Ijede and other inner routes in Ikorodu.
The Vice-Chairman, Motorcycle Associations of Lagos State, MOALS, Mr Kayode Pashoku, popularly called Jendor, said there would be a clampdown on erring motorcyclists with special attention on Ikorodu to Ketu areas.
He said: “We are going to work with the security operatives and our internal task force to chase Okada riders who ply Ikorodu/Mile 12 Road. The enforcement will kick off at Ikorodu garage, down to Ketu/Mile 12.”
600 Squad: All for Okada ban
No fewer than 600 recruited members of the squad attended the orientation exercise at the Adeyemi Bero auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, organised by the state Ministry of Transportation.
This came as the Lagos State Police Command said it was ready to carry out enforcement of the ban to the latter, warning commercial motorcyclists to stay clear of the banned routes or leave Lagos.
Besides, the Lagos State Ferry Services, LAGFERRY, said it had deployed more boats for operations to cushion the likely attendant effects of the ban on commuters .
State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Fredrick Oladeinde, explained that the aim for setting up of the squad was to ensure effective enforcement of the order on the ban.
According to Oladeinde, “In line with the commencement of the ban on motorcycle operations within six LGAs and the respective Local Council Development Areas, the Ministry of Transportation inaugurated an anti-Okada squad.”
It was gathered that the squad would be complemented by armed members of the Nigeria Police, the Army and other security agencies.
No going back on enforcement
In an interview with journalists at the end of the Show of Force, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, Ahmad Kontagora, explained that “the show of force is a clear signal to those who are not ready to stand by the law of the state. We will not take it lightly with those who are criminals among them. We are proactive and battle-ready to enforce the law and it would be a reality because Lagos State is not the only state where Okadas were banned and Lagos will not be exceptional. It has taken place in other states, we are going to fight it until we succeed.
“Law-abiding citizens should go about their lawful business without fear and they should be rest assured that they can sleep with their two eyes closed. We won’t allow the criminally minded among the riders to rest until we achieve our aims.
“We will not humiliate or torture anyone arrested. Rather, they will face their charges at the court of law.”
Earlier, the Lagos State Police Command, Abiodun Alabi, assured Lagosians of adequate protection of lives and property as the enforcement commences. He also dispelled rumours of likely breakdown of law and order in the wake of enforcement on Okada ban.
The ban
Recall that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had on May 10, 2021, reviewed the 2012 Lagos Traffic Law guiding Okada operations, after his predecessors, Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode’s administrations banned their activities.
Fashola had signed the Lagos Road Traffic Law 2012, which restricts okada operations in at least 492 of the 9200 roads across the metropolis in an effort to reduce the menace of their operations in recent past.
The latest ban, however, came in the wake of series of concerns raised by a traditional ruler in Lekki area, Oniru of IruLand, Oba Omogbolahan Lawal, Abisogun II, and residents, on the urgent need to avert security breach in the area and by extension, the state.
This followed the recent attack on a 37-year-old sound engineer, Sunday- David Umoh. He was lynched by irate Okada riders at Admiralty Way, Lekki, Lagos, Lekki Phase 1.
Govt dismisses anxiety over Okada
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has reassured residents over the ban.
A statement by Gbenga Omotoso, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, said: “There is no need for any anxiety over the enforcement of the ban, which has been hailed by the majority of Lagosians as a reinforcement of the Lagos Traffic Law 2012 (amended in 2018).
“The government wishes to advise all law-abiding citizens to go about their businesses without any fear whatsoever as measures have been put in place to forestall any disturbance. Lagosians and visitors are urged to co-operate with the law enforcement agencies in our collective interest.”
Lagosians panic
Already, Lagosians have been sending text messages to their loved ones residing in the affected areas to remain indoors today, in order to avoid getting entangled in any likely skirmishes between some of the riders who have threatened to resist the Police during the enforcement of the ban.
Some Lagosians on the other hand, called on the Lagos State Government to address the perennial gridlock in the state, the same way it was addressing the menace of okada riders.
