The Lagos State Government enforced the second phase of the ban on okada riders in the state on Thursday, September 1, 2022. Over 500 security agents comprising the Police, Military, Department of State Security (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, among other paramilitary agencies, on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, embarked on a show of force around Lagos metropolises, in readiness of the enforcement in four additional local government areas in Lagos.
Addressing the security agents, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos Command, CP Abiodun Alabi, warned that violators of the ban would be promptly arrested and prosecuted.
The state government had, in August, declared a total ban in another four LGAs and six LCDAs mainly in Kosofe (Ikosi-Isheri and Agboyi-Ketu LCDAs); Mushin (Odi-Olowo LCDA); Oshodi (Oshodi-Isolo and Ejigbo LCDAs), and Shomolu (Bariga LCDA).
The State Government also said defaulters of the ban risk a three-year jail term, as the enforcement of the second phase of the ban starts on Thursday. Commissioner for Transport, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, disclosed this during a news conference in Ikeja, adding that the Phase 2 okada ban was in four Local Government Areas and six Local Government Development Councils.
He said that 200 officials of the Lagos Traffic Management Authority had been deployed to join other security agencies to enforce the ban in the councils.
According to him, the extension of ban to four more LGAs and LCDAs is in the right direction to ensure security of lives and property.
“As a responsive government, we are not leaving the affected passengers stranded without any viable means of transportation, that is why we have made available alternative and sustainable means of transportation. The alternative transportation include the First and Last Mile Bus Transport Scheme, the BRT Scheme, the Lagos e-hailing taxi Scheme (LAGRIDE) and other acceptable modes of transportation, to go about their daily activities.
“The decision and position of government on okada is very clear, and we are not compromising on this decision, which is to further consolidate on the achievements made so far with particular reference to the decrease in accidents and crime,” the commissioner said.
With the ban taking effect today, some commercial motorcyclists, yesterday, besieged the Lagos House, urging Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to suspend the proposed ban on Okada riders. Chairman of MOALS Lagos State Zone C, Mr Tijani Pekins, who led the protest, urged the state government to engage the association and work out modalities to safe millions of members, whose livelihoods will be massively affected by the enforcement of the ban.
