Lagos: Taskforce on okada riders impounds 150 bikes, arraigns 10

The Lagos state Taskforce on motorcycle operators has made good its promise to go after all recalcitrant okada riders, land grabbers and violators of environmental law.

Speaking Monday in his office in Bolade, Oshodi after a week-long operation carried out in Ogba, Apapa, Tradefair, Elemoro, Ojodu and its environs, chairman of the Taskforce, CSP Shola Jejeloye, disclosed that traces of okada operations had been noticed in the aforementioned areas and other parts of the state, despite the ban on their activities.

Jejeloye disclosed that though there was about 95 per cent compliance, not less than 150 commercial bikes were impounded for willfully operating on restricted routes and flouting traffic rules in some others.

Also, 10 okada passengers were  apprehended for driving on the restricted BRT corridor and have been charged to court and fined  N50,000 or serve three months in Badagry Correctional Centre.

“It has come to our notice through our discreet investigations and also via feedbacks from members of the public that okada riders have aggressively been returning to streets to operate. It is quite unfortunate because we will ensure that any okada caught operating will be impounded and crushed. Passengers and riders who are also caught will be charged to court as well,” Jejeloye stated.

The chairman also reiterated that the agency would remain resolute in ensuring that the menace of okada and infractions in Lagos never resurfaces as he and his men would carry on with aggressive enforcement exercises to maintain sanity which Lagosians have evidently enjoyed since the ban was put in place.