BY TONY EDIKE

ENUGU—SANITY re turned to major streets and roads in Enugu state capital yesterday as several commercial motorcyclists popularly called Okada deserted the town in compliance with the state government’s order banning their operations.

However, few recalcitrant operators continued to ply the roads conveying passengers who were willing to patronize them. As early as 7 am yesterday, motorcycles were off the roads as the operators converged at strategic locations discussing their fate.

Some of the operators were seen conveying their bikes in trucks to other states like neighbouring Ebonyi and Anambra where their activities has not been outlawed.

However, mixed reactions trailed the ban as most residents interviewed applauded the decision of government, which they said would go a long way in curbing crimes in the city.

They said apart from curbing violent crimes like robbery and killing which some men who disguised as Okada riders had perpetrated in the city, rampant accidents involving Okada operators would be eliminated.

But others lamented that the ban would impose hardship on the residents since most cab and tricycle operators don’t ply the streets and unpopular routes. Meanwhile, a convoy of security agents including police, army and air force patrolled major streets of Enugu yesterday apparently to forestall protest by the affected operators.