Unknown soldiers resist arrest as Lagos Taskforce declares war on recalcitrant Okada riders
CITIZENS COMPASS—Some unknown soldiers operating commercial motorcycles popularly known as Okada, on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, resisted arrests during an operation by the operatives of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offenses (Enforcement) Unit (Taskforce),
State Taskforce around Mile 2, Lagos-Badagry expressway, and other prohibited routes.
The Taskforce during an operation to the areas said the action by the riders negates traffic rules which would not be tolerated in the State.
The operation which lasted for about six hours was carried out under the instruction and directive of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade, and it took place at Badagry Expressway, Mile 2, Second Rainbow Bus Stop, V-Naija Bus Stop, Alabasuru and Berger Bus Stop where recalcitrant okada operators had carried on with their activities illegally.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the incident, the Chairman of the Agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele, disclosed that many of these operators were under the impression that it would be business as usual where the Agency would carry out a single operation to discourage them but that is not the case anymore. He promised the operators who managed to evade arrest that the long arm of the law would catch up with them shortly if they did not turn over a new leaf.
The Chairman further stated that some okada operators hide under the guise of the bikes belonging to soldiers or are operated by soldiers in the vicinity, all in a bid to evade arrest when caught operating. He assured them that there will be no sacred cows when it comes to sanitizing the Highways and restricted routes where okada operations have fully been banned by the State Government.
“We encountered some form of resistance from okada operators who claim that the bikes belong to soldiers and therefore are untouchable. I quickly cleared their doubt and used it as a means to sound a note of warning that there are no sacred cows when it comes to restoring sanity on our roads.”
He reiterated the commitment of the State Government in upholding the Road Transport Sector Reform Laws of 2018 where it is clearly stated that okada operations are prohibited on all Highways in the State. The Chairman further reminded uniform personnel who make use of okada as a means of transportation to and fro their best to ensure that they are fully kitted in their regalia while on a bike and the only passenger allowed to be on a bike with them is another uniform personnel who is fully kitted.
Consequently, the Agency boss appealed to commuters to desist from patronizing okada operators who pose not just safety risks to the passenger and rider but also a security risk to all residents due to the use of okada as a quick getaway means by criminal elements. He assured residents that the activities of okada operations will be a thing of the past as the Agency will leave no stone unturned till they adhere to all traffic rules and regulations of the State.
