The Lagos State Police Task Force on Saturday intensified efforts for crime control in the state by taking the restriction of motorbike operators (Okada) in some parts of the state further with the melting of over 400 motorcycles confiscated from the operators who defied the restriction order of the state government.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had about two years ago announced the restriction of Okada operators in several parts of Lagos State, particularly, the city. The restriction also included operators of tricycle, known as Keke Marwa. The restriction order was in force before the COVID-19 uprising and the associated lockdown in 2020; subsequently, the #EdnSARS protest, that brought the state to near anarchy.
The Okada operators played into these social upheavals and took the laws into their hands after the scenarios had eased out. This was also countered by the Lagos State Task Force on Environment, which operative and the Police Task Force confiscated several motorbikes from deviant operators.
The Commissioner of Police of the State Command, CP Hakeem Odumosu, at the scene of the crushing of the Okada on Saturday, noted that the action will serve as deterrent to others.
Odumosu highlighted: “Over the years, we have observed that the motorcycles we are seeing here now have been part of the instrument they use in committing crime. When somebody is to be kidnapped, they (do it) with Okada, when somebody’s bag is snatched at the bus-stop, they do that. With the traffic now, Okadas are being used to commit crime.
“And because of this now, the state government, in its wisdom, decided that Okadas should be restricted in some areas of the state.
“We have started this enforcement for a long time, yet they are still in town, because Rome was not built in a day. But we will not give them breathing space.
“Some people have insinuated that we sell back the Okadas to those we collect them from, thereby, recycling it. That is why we decided that let the Doubting Thomases know that we don’t sell Okada.
“The law says they should be crushed once they are impounded. And that’s why we decided to demonstrate this.”