Lagos Crushes 1,500 ‘Okada’, Vows to prosecute Riders, passengers Plying Restricted Areas

By Ranmilowo Ojalumo

The Lagos State Government on Monday morning crushed 1,500 motorcycles popularly called okada in line with the ban on okada operation in the Ten (10) Local Governments (LGs) and Fifteen (15) Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos.

The crushing exercise, which was witnessed on Monday morning by The Factual Nigeria, took place at the state task force yard, Alausa, Ikeja.

According to the state commissioner of transport, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, the crushed motorcycles were arrested within the restricted areas in the state.

While reiterating the Government’s commitment to the safety and security of lives and property Osiyemi who personally supervised the crushing of the motorcycles stated that the exercise shows that the Government is not rescinding its decision to apprehend, impound, and crushing recalcitrant motorcycles plying the restricted areas.

Mr. Osiyemi further emphasised that the regular crushing exercise is to further tell okada operators, riders, and passengers alike to stay off the ban areas to avoid 3 years imprisonment if apprehended and prosecuted in line with the Transport Reform Law, (TSRL) 2018.

“The ban on Okada in specified regions is crucial for maintaining order, reducing risks associated with unauthorized motorcycle operation, and also improving security,” Osiyemi added.

For the avoidance of doubt, the prohibited Local Government Areas include; Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Somolu, Mushin, Apapa, Ikeja, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Surulere and Eti-Osa.

The Local Council Development Areas under them which the ban also covers include; Ojodu, Onigbongbo, Lagos Island East, Yaba, and Coker Aguda, with others at; Itire-Ikate, Eti-Osa West, Iru Victoria Island, Ikoyi-Obalende, Ikosi-Isheri, Agboyi-Ketu, Isolo, Ejigbo, Bariga and Odi-Olowo.

The Transportation Commissioner urged okada operators to obey the ban order in the prohibited areas, adding that Okada is not a safe means of commercial transportation and does not fit into the transport policy of the State.

Also present at the crushing exercise are the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Olawale Musa and other Officials of the Ministry.