EKSG goes tough on Okada riders without official permit
By Mike Adebayo, Ado-Ekiti
Okada riders without reflective jacket, official numbers, association permits and other necessary means of identification will not be allowed to operate in the city of Ado-Ekiti.
This is to curb the rising cases of kidnapping, rape, bag snatching, armed robbery and other criminal acts often times traceable to some commercial Motorcyclists operating in the state capital.
This was made known by stakeholders in charge of four local councils in Ado-Ekiti at a separate interview with Nigerian NewsDirect on the need to put measures in place to address security challenges within Ado-Ekiti metropolis.
Some of the stakeholders including Chairmen of Ado-Ekiti Local Government, Chief Bosun Osaloni, Ado Central LCDA, Mr Toyin Ojo, Ado North LCDA, Mr Yomi Oso and West, Mr Taiwo Alagba who described the menace as a threat to both lives and property in Ekiti especially the state capital, promised to come up with bye law that would protect the interest of the people in the area of adequate security.
Mr Yomi Oso pointed out that kidnapping and armed robbery was now a source of concern for every resident due to the effects on the victims and fear that the ugly development had posed on the people.
To address the problem, Mr Toyin Ojo noted that the porous borders and lack of tight security especially within the state capital would be tackled in partnership with various security outfits
On his part, Mr Taiwo Alagba noted that the measures were not aimed at generating funds but to ensure improved security.
The Four Chairmen, in charge of Ado-Ekiti Local Government and LCDAs promised that they would make it compulsory for every commercial Motorcyclist operating in Ado-Ekiti to fill forms, have guarantors, state their state of origin, towns, and have their forms signed by Divisional Police Officer, DPO to ascertain if such a person had not been arrested on any criminal matter before he could be allowed to operate in the state capital.
A community leader and Asa of Ado-Ekiti, High Chief Kayode Ogunleye said that if the security personnel would complement the measures being put in place, the criminal elements hiding under the guise of operating OKadas would be flushed out of the state capital.
While clearing air on allegations that many Okada Riders often engaged in criminal activities, the State Chairman, Commercial Motorcyclists Association, Mr Kunle Asaolu told Radio Nigeria that most of the crimes often ascribed to Okada Riders were being perpetrated by non members, emphasizing that many people operating in the night were not members of Okada Riders in Ekiti
Mr Asaolu called on security Agents to arrest anyone operating OKada in the midnight, adding that such practice had been banned in the past.
