Lagos Taskforce impounds 354 motorcycles

The Lagos State Government has impounded about 354 commercial motorcycles, popularly called Okada, across the State in a renewed  clampdown against illegal operations.

The week-long exercise was led by the Chairman of the Agency, Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, Shola Jejeloye, who vowed to cripple the activities of okada operators.

Jejeloye lamented that the activities of Okada along some highways in the state has continually put the life of commutters along those axis in harms’ way.

According to him, “We have taken it upon ourselves to end okada operations in the State  and we are putting all mechanisms in place to ensure we achieve this goal.

“There is a ban on their activities along selected routes and Local Governments Areas in Lagos therefore they should not be allowed to operate as they please.”

Jejeloye stated that the raid in Abule Ado axis saw them impounding 174 bikes, Lagos Island 50 bikes,Berger/ Grammar School 50 bikes, while 70 bikes were impounded in Abule Egba axis.

He therefore, sounded a note of warning to uniform men and urged them to obey extant rules and regulations of the State regarding okada operations or be prosecuted.

“There will be no sacred cows in the enforcement of okada operations in the State therefore any uniform man caught conveying passengers on a bike for commercial purposes will be thoroughly dealt with.

“We should be the ones setting the right examples, not breaking them. It will no longer be business as usual,” Jejeloye stated.

The chairman warned that the recalcitrant okada operators should not test the might of enforcement compliance of the agency as it was more determined than ever to eradicate their activities for good.

“Any operator found wanting will be severely dealt with according to the laws of the State.

“It is our resolve in Y2024 to ensure that the terminal end of every enforcement is the court, therefore, the fixed mindset of all environmental and traffic violators who think they can get away with every infraction through “man know man” or godfatherism will not be tolerated. Enough is enough,” Jejeloye maintained.

He therefore urged residents to work together with the State Government and her Agencies in ensuring that mischief makers do not derail the vision and mission of the State Government as enshrined in the THEMES PLUS agenda of the present administration.

Jejeloye, also appealed to well meaning residents to desist from patronising okada operators in order to make the roads safe, hazard free and motorable for all.

Recall that tragedy struck in Lagos on Saturday when a truck crushed the rider of a commercial motorcycle, Okada, and two passengers to death, while riding in a direction prohibited by law, otherwise called, ‘One-way’ on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, Lagos.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, recently, arrested some lawless Okada riders, including a soldier while riding against the flow of traffic along Lagos-Badagry Expressway, Lagos which elicited mixed reactions from members of the public.