Chiemelie Ezeobi
Come June 15, 2018, the Lagos State Police Command and the Taskforce on environmental sanitation will begin a clampdown on errant commercial motorcyclists popularly known as ‘okada’.
The clampdown is to be targeted at those without plate numbers, those plying on the 465 restricted routes and bridges, those who are not under any approved union and those without their union apron and identification.
This decision was sunday taken by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal, after some commercial motorcyclists razed a police patrol vehicle at the Ibeshe area of Ikorodu over the death of their colleague.
The police who had earlier effected the arrest of 79 persons in connection with the arson, went a step further to engage the leaders of the different unions guiding the riders.
At the meeting where this decision was taken were different unions like was Motorcycle Operators Association of Lagos State (MOALS), Nagari Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association (NAMORA) and Okada Riders Welfare Association (ORWA).
The communique issued by the state police spokesperson, SP Chike Oti, after the meeting read thus , “In view of the unfortunate incident of May 30, 2018, whereby some commercial motorcyclists, popularly called okada riders, attempted to burn Ibeshe Police Post but ended up burning a police patrol vehicle stationed at a black spot in the town, a meeting was held to discuss the issue.
“The meeting, convened by the police authorities in Lagos State was which 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.
“He warned that the police would not only arrest unruly okada riders but ensure that they face the full wrath of the law.
“At the end of the meeting, the following resolutions were reached. That with effect from June 15, 2018, any motorcycle without licence plate number will be impounded;
“That all commercial motorcycle operators are restricted from plying the highways and the bridges;
“That every commercial motorcycle operator must register with any of the approved unions for the purpose of accountability and easy identification;
“That 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.
“The CP charged members of the union to embark on massive enlightenment of their members before enforcement will begin, so that they don’t run foul of the law.
