Okada ban: Errant riders, passengers arrested on highway
The Lagos State Task Force has arrested no fewer than six commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as okada riders, and their passengers, for riding on the highway.
The agency, in a statement on Sunday, said the arrest were made in an operation led by its chairman Shola Jejeloye.
“We arrested six suspects, including riders and passengers today at CMS and we will ensure that they face the full wrath of the law for their violations.
“We hope that it would serve as a deterrent to others who intend to ride or patronise Okada operators along these routes. Anyone caught will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly,” Jejeloye said.
He reiterated the agency’s commitment to ridding Lagos State of the menace of Okada riders, whom, he noted, had devised new means of operating on the highways and restricted routes across the state.
Jejeloye said, “Some of these recalcitrant okada operators who had their bikes seized in the past have acquired more portable types of bikes called ‘lady machine’ to carry out their operations on the highways.
“These bikes are sleek and more evasive but these antics are no longer a secret.”
He reminded illegal okada operators of the position of the state government, saying, “Motorbikes with engine capacity below 200cc are not allowed to operate on the state highways.
“Therefore, all forms of bikes that fall within that range, be it the normal okada or lady machine, will be confiscated and crushed according to the provisions of the law.”
He vowed to arrest both rider and passenger caught violating the laws governing vehicular operations on the highways and restricted routes.
