Lagos Police To ‘Wield Big Stick’ On ‘Unlawful’ Okada Riders From June 15

The Lagos State Police Command has said that plans have been concluded to commence massive arrest of unlawful commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as Okada riders from June 15.

Speaking after a meeting between the Lagos State Police Command and commercial motorcycle unions, the state Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, said the decision was made following the May 30 attack on the Ibeshe Police Post, during which a police patrol vehicle was burnt.

In a statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chike Oti, it is understood that the meeting was attended by leaders of the Motorcycle Operators Association of Lagos State, Nagari Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association and Okada Riders Welfare Association.

He said during the meeting, held at the MD Abubakar Conference Hall of the Police Headquarters, the CP decried the attitude of some okada riders who attack members of the public or constituted authorities at the slightest disagreement.

The statement read in part, “During the meeting, the CP said the police would not only arrest unruly okada riders but ensure that they face the full wrath of the law.”

Oti, in the statement, added that five resolutions were reached at the end of the meeting which would take effect from Friday, June 15.

In his words, from June 15, “Any motorcycle without licence plate number will be impounded; “All commercial motorcycle operators are restricted from plying the highways and the bridges;

“Every commercial motorcycle operator must register with any of the approved unions for the purpose of accountability and easy identification.

“Every commercial motorcycle operator must wear an apron which must indicate the union he belongs and bear boldly, his identification number.

“A joint taskforce, comprising the police, the Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental Sanitation and members of the motorcycle unions to oversee the implementation of the resolution reached and the enforcement of the Lagos State traffic laws.”

He said the CP also charged members of the union to embark on massive enlightenment of their members before enforcement will begin on June 15, so that they don’t run foul of the law.