IN a bid to continue its enforcement of the ban on commercial motorcycles (Okada) that ply restricted highways, particularly in the six Local Governments Areas and nine Local Council Development Areas across the State, the Lagos State Taskforce has embarked on a week-long raid to impound defaulting motorcycles.
While speaking during the exercise which took place in Agege/Fagba, Apapa and Ajah areas of Lagos, the Chairman of the Agency, CSP Shola Jejeloye, described the activities of the defaulting okada operators as rebellious and vowed to ensure that those who continue to disregard the ban have their bikes confiscated and crushed by the State Government.
Jejeloye further stated that 322 bikes have been seized since the commencement of the week-long raid in the aforementioned areas of the State, assuring citizens that more will be done until the State’s vision of maintaining safety and sanity on Lagos roads is actualised.
In his words; “We intend to continue embarking on raids across the State towards ensuring a total clampdown on bike operators violating the ban on plying major highways in the six Local Governments Areas and nine Local Council Development Areas till total compliance is attained.”
While warning Lagosians who patronise defaulting okada operators to desist, CSP Jejeloye declared that passengers would henceforth be arrested and prosecuted with the okada operators.
“Both passengers and riders are culpable if found operating on routes banned by the State Government and both will face a penalty of either three months jail term or #50,000 fine, or both as pronounced by the courts,” he affirmed.
The Chairman, therefore, enjoined Lagos residents to embrace alternative means of transportation which are safer and in line with the State’s inter-modal transportation vision.
