Lagos Taskforce impounds 344 motorcycles, vows to end okada operations

The Lagos State Taskforce has impounded no fewer than 344 commercial motorcycles, popularly called okada, during a week-long raid in different areas of the state.

The task force has also vowed to end the operations of the recalcitrant bike riders in the state.

The agency’s Director, Press & Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, disclosed this in a statement released on Sunday.

The statement read, “The Lagos State Taskforce has vowed to bring the operations of recalcitrant okada operators in the state to a complete halt as it carries out a week-long raid across various parts of the metropolis.

“The week-long exercise was anchored by the Chairman of the Agency, CSP Shola Jejeloye who vowed to cripple the activities of okada operators. He disclosed that their activities along some highways in the state have continually put the life of commuters along the axis in harm’s way.”

The statement revealed that during the raid, the task force impounded 174 bikes in the Abule Ado axis, 50 bikes in Lagos Island, 50 bikes in Berger/ Grammar School, and 70 bikes were impounded in the Abule Egba axis.

According to the statement, Jejeloye said, “We have taken it upon ourselves to end okada operations in the state and we are putting all mechanisms in place to ensure we achieve this goal.

“There is a ban on their activities along selected routes and Local Governments in Lagos, therefore they should not be allowed to operate as they please.

“It is our resolve in Y2024 to ensure that the terminal end of every enforcement is the court. Therefore, the fixed mindset of all environmental and traffic violators who think they can get away with every infraction through “man knows man” or godfatherism will not be tolerated. Enough is enough.”

He also sounded a note of warning to security officials in uniform and urged them to obey the rules and regulations of the state regarding okada operation.

“There will be no sacred cows in the enforcement of okada operations in the state therefore any uniform man caught conveying passengers on a bike for commercial purposes will be thoroughly dealt with. We should be the ones setting the right examples not breaking them. It will no longer be business as usual”. Jejeloye stated.

He also urged Lagosians to desist from patronising okada operators in order “to make our roads safe, hazard free and motorable for all.”

The National Daily reports that the Lagos State Government had banned the operation of commercial motorcycles on major highways.

In November 1500 seized motorcycles were destroyed on the Lagos State Task Force premises in Oshodi following the clampdown by the state government on okada operators said to have returned to the roads.