Lagos Government Reveals When It Will Begin The Huge Crackdown On Okada Riders

The Government of Lagos government has directed security operatives to enforce a ban on commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, beginning from June 1.

The move is aimed at curtailling the unruly activities of motorcyclists in the state.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu gave the directive yesterday during a meeting with the state Commissioner of Police, Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) at the State House, Ikeja.

Sanwo-Olu said that the total ban on Okada riders is on all highways across the six Local Government Areas (LGAs) and nine Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of the state.

He said that with effective from June 1, security operatives should enforce the proscription order across the listed councils.

The affected councils are Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Surulere, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, and Apapa, and the total ban order extends to all LCDAs under the listed councils.

According to him, the fresh Okada ban followed the February 2020 restriction placed on the activities of the commercial motorcycles.

He said, “After critical review of our restriction on Okada activities in the first six Local Government Areas, where we restricted them on Feb. 1, 2020, we have seen that the menace has not abated.

“We are now directing a total ban on Okada activities across the highways and bridges within these six Local Government and their Local Council Development Areas, effective from June 1, 2022.

“This is a phased ban we are embarking on this period, and we expect that within the short while when this ban will be enforced, Okada riders in other places where their activities are yet to be banned can find something else to do. The enforcement will be total.”

He urged residents patronising Okada riders on highways to embrace alternative transport schemes already provided by the government to plan their journey.

The Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, directed his men to strictly enforce the governor’s order in the listed councils and areas.