CITIZENS COMPASS– IN what appears to be a new year operation, Lagos State Taskforce has arrested 48 mIscreants and impounded 37 bikes around Oshodi and its environs.
The Taskforce also raided Lagos Abeokuta Expressway and Ikorodu Road where recalcitrant commercial motorcyclist popularlly known as Okada riders have been operating since the ban by the state government.
In a statement made available to Citizens Compass, the Director, Press & Public Affairs of the Taskforce, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem said the raid which was led by the Chairman of the Agency, CSP Shola Jejeloye was carried out at the closing hours on Thursday, January 6, 2023, along the stated routes and a total of 37 bikes were impounded from the riders.
Giving updates about the operations, Jejeloye aid, “It is disheartening seeing these recalcirtant riders operating their bikes commercially, endangering the lives of their passengers and the pedestrians on the State Highways despite the ban still in place. We have sent out series of warning through our official channels but it fell on deaf ears of some of them, thus the need to carry our this enforcement exercise”
The Taskforce Chairman said the ban on commercial operation of okada on restricted routes and all the states highways is still very much in place therefore no one who is caught still operating will be spared”
“I am sounding this note of warning to every okada operator and their passengers who think they are sacred cows that cannot be touched. It will no longer be business as usual. Any one caught operating commercially along the restricted corridors will face the court,”
He said that compliance of the State laws has to start with good men and women who have the interest of the State at heart.
He further said that anyone who is not discipline cannot discipline others.
Other recalcitrant Okada riders have been warned to desist from such acts or face the music.
In a related development, the Lagos State Taskforce carried out an extensive raid of suspected hoodlums along Oshodi Bridge, Mosafejo and Army Arena axis where 48 suspects were apprehended.
The raid which took place in the early hours of friday lasted for over 5 hours in order to ensure a complete mop of areas known for criminal habitation and activities.
The Chairman of the Agency stated that raids along these black spots will be continous in order to stamp out hooliganism and criminality from the State.
“Our feedbacks from members of the public help us streamline our operational activities to areas that affect them the most. Raids along Oshodi in particular will be continuous and frequent till criminal elements take their trade elsewhere.
“All the arrested suspects will be charged to court.”
