470 MOTORCYCLES ARE SEIZED BY THE LAGOS TASKFORCE, AND THEY THREATEN MORE SEVERE PENALTIES FOR OKADA RIDERS.

Babatunji Wusu –

During the course of a week-long operation, the Lagos State government, acting through the Lagos State Taskforce, seized 470 motorcycles.

Shola Jejeloye, the Chief Superintendent of Police, oversaw the tight measures.

According to Jejeloye, the operation gained significance as a result of the task force’s heightened attempts to uphold the state’s law prohibiting motorcyclists from operating their vehicles in restricted locations.

The Lagos State Taskforce’s Director of Press & Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, provided a statement to reporters on Monday, stating that the government agency’s actions are consistent with their commitment to ensuring that the state government of Lagos stays in line with its THEMES PLUS Agenda master plan.

The statement read: “In a week-long operation, a total of 470 motorcycles were seized, marking a significant stride in the ongoing endeavour to safeguard motorist and maintain sanity on Lagos Highways.

“The operation, which spanned various strategic locations, including Berger, Fagba, Dopemu, Iyana Ipaja, 2nd Rainbow, Festac, First Gate, Alakija, Mile 2, Ilasan, Maroko, Lekki, Ikota, and Chevron, resulted in the confiscation of 150, 120, and 250 motorcycles, respectively, from these areas.

“Any right-thinking okada operator would, at this point in time, realise that it is not business as usual. Our operations have been precise and consistent, which indicates that there is no room for okada in Lagos.

“CSP Shola Jejeloye emphasized the unwavering commitment of the Lagos State Government to eradicate Okada operations, aligning with the master plan outlined in the THEMES PLUS Agenda of the State Government. Highlighting the inherent risks associated with motorcycle transportation, he urged commuters to prioritize safer alternatives like new blue/red line railway services and Millennium bus services to avoid potential bodily harm by okada or prosecution by the state government if caught on a bike.”

CSP Jejeloye advised Okada operators who are still operating clandestinely to look into finding other legitimate sources of income or to think about leaving the state.

He told Lagos citizens that the agency would keep carrying out raids in forbidden areas, on roads, and across bridges until Okada operations ceased to exist.