The Lagos State Police Command has ramped up the heat regarding the enforcement of the ban on commercial motorcycles, also known as Okada.
In May, Okada operations was prohibited by the Lagos government on highways and in six local government areas.
The affected LGAs are Apapa, Eti Osa, Ikeja, Lagos Island, Surulere, and Lagos Mainland.
On Saturday, June 11, Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin narrated how policemen were, Friday night, attacked in Ikorodu.
The spokesman said the personnel were fought by hoodlums and Okada riders who tried to stop them.
Hundeyin noted that the raid was carried out after numerous reports about motorcyclists operating at night.
The police spokesman said;
We got numerous reports that motorcyclists operate at night. We reviewed strategy and stormed Ikorodu last night (existing ban on all highways).
The riders and hoodlums attacked the Police. We activated our standby backup. 50 arrested, 14 motorcycles impounded. Crushing next…
We got numerous reports that motorcyclists operate at night. We reviewed strategy and stormed Ikorodu last night (existing ban on all highways). The riders and hoodlums attacked the Police. We activated our standby backup. 50 arrested, 14 motorcycles impounded. Crushing next…
— SP Benjamin Hundeyin (@BenHundeyin) June 11, 2022
In May, Lagos State Police Commissioner, Abiodun Alabi, had clarified that residents who operate motorcycles for courier services or other private dealings will not be affected the latest okada ban.
Recall that state government had on Wednesday, May 18 announced the okada ban in six local government areas of the state.
Read Also: Sanwo-Olu Outlaws Okada Riders In Selected Areas To Curb Criminalities
The announcement was made few days after some commercial motorcyclists beat up three men and burnt one of them, a sound engineer, to death over a misunderstanding along Admiralty way, Lekki phase 1.
Giving the clarification during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Alabi stated;
It does not affect couriers, but the couriers will not carry passengers. We will have to make sure they are couriers and not pretending to be one.
He had stressed;
Then the other officers who are okada owners must be uniformed personnel who are going to their various place of work. Those who own power-bikes are not affected, because it’s not meant for commercial purpose.
