The Lagos State Taskforce has urged Lagosians to desist from patronising motorcycle operators, popularly called ‘Okada’, saying they do not only pose risks to the passengers but also a security risk to all residents.
The agency said Okada has been used as a “quick getaway means by criminal elements.”
According to a statement by the Director, Press and Public Affairs, Lagos State Taskforce, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, the Chairman of the Agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele, said this following simultaneous operations against Okada operatives who have carried on with their operations across various parts of the Lagos metropolis.
The operation, according to the agency’s spokesman, which lasted about six hours was carried out under the instruction and directive of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade.
The agency, he said, took the operation to the 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 on the incident today, the Chairman of Agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele, disclosed that most 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 in the nearest future if they do not turn over a new leaf,” the statement said.
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 therefore are untouchable. I quickly cleared their doubt and used it as means to sound a note of warning that there are no sacred cows when it comes to restoring sanity on our roads,” he said.
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 Tmtaskforce chairman further reminded uniform personnel who make use of okada as a means of transportation to and fro their beat 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 patronising okada operators who pose not just safety risks to the passenger and rider but also a security risk to all resident 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,” the statement added.
