Lagos enforces ban against Okada, arrest 1,000

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Written by Femi Akinola, Lagos Wednesday, 07 December 2011 05:00
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The Lagos State government yesterday officially commenced the enforcement of the law banning the operation of commercial motorcycle (Okada) along highways in the state, arresting over 1,000 motorcyclists.

The exercise was jointly executed by men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA,) and police. Our correspondent reports that at the Public Works Department area opposite the Radio Nigeria Training School at Shogunle, Okada operators were seen resisting arrest, saying it was wrong for the state government to ban them from operating on federal roads.

Some Okada riders however alleged fraud in the operation, saying some of their colleagues were bailing themselves with money ranging from N2, 000 to N5, 000.

When contacted, the state’s chairman of Motorcycle Operators Association of Nigeria, Tijani Pekis said the protesting Okada riders were not members of the association.

“I have alerted the Commissioner for Transportation, who promised to inform the police. Let me add that those people are expressway Okada riders, they are not my members, my members would not demonstrate for any reason at all,” he said.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa confirmed the development, saying the state government has actually commenced enforcement of the law banning Okada at prohibited areas.

“We are determined to ensure that the law is enforced and adhered to. We will deal with them within the confines of the law, certainly, we are not backing down,” he said.



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