- Govt may unveil another enforcement gang dedicated to rid the state of okada menace
By Seyi Babalola
Joint security operatives embarked in a massive show of force round the city of Lagos on Tuesday, to drum the awareness of the take-off of the total ban on motorcycle operation in six local governments and nine local council development areas in the state today.
This is even as The Nation gathered that a new enforcement gang, members of which was drawn from across the state is being put together by the state government to complement other security agencies in enforcing the total ban directive of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Transportation Dr Kamal Olowosago said the corps would soon be unveiled, though the enforcement would kick-off today.
He said the new corps would work with other security agencies including the Police, and the Army to enforce the directive especially in the Ports city of Apapa, adding that no stone would be left unturned in sanitizing the transport sector and putting a stop to the okada menace in the state.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had on May 17, 2022, pronounced a total ban of motorcycle operations on all roads in six local government areas and nine Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) within these council areas, beginning from June 1.
The local government areas from where okada operations are banned are; Ikeja, Eti-Osa, Lagos Island, Surulere, Apapa and Lagos Island local government areas, while the LCDAs from which okada operation are forbidden are Onigbongbo, Ojodu, Ikoyi-Obalende, and Iru-Victoria Island. Others are Lagos Island East, Itire-Ikate, Coker-Aguda, Iganmu and Yaba.
The Police Commissioner Abiodun Alabi, said beginning from today, both operator and passenger caught plying any roads within the prohibited council areas would be prosecuted, even as the okada would be impounded.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said the ban is to put an end to the menace of okada operator whose activities are increasingly becoming a source of worry to the government.
The ban does not affect dispatch riders, owners of power bikes but the bikes must be within the approved limits by the state government in line with the state’s extant traffic regulations.