Okada ban: Lagos Govt  dismisses anxiety as enforcement takes effect

As the ban on commercial motorcycles popularly known as okada takes effect in six Local Government Areas of Lagos state, the  government has urged residents to go about their lawful businesses without fear.  The state government had outlawed the operation of Okada in six local governments and nine local council development areas under them following […]

As the ban on commercial motorcycles popularly known as okada takes effect in six Local Government Areas of Lagos state, the  government has urged residents to go about their lawful businesses without fear. 

The state government had outlawed the operation of Okada in six local governments and nine local council development areas under them following the killing of a sound engineer by Okada riders at Lekki.

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The affected LGAs are Ikeja, Surulere, Eti-Osa, Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island and Apapa.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu explained that the fresh ban on okada followed the February 2020 restriction placed on the activities of the commercial motorcycles.

He said the government took the decision in line with the State’s Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018 to immediately address the chaos and menace created by operators of Okada in the listed areas.

The social media has however been awash with news of a planned protest by some riders.

But a statement by the Commissioner of Information, Gbenga Omotoso, assured Lagosians that there is no need for any anxiety over the enforcement of the ban, which he said, had been hailed by the majority of Lagosians as a reinforcement of the Lagos Traffic Law 2012 (amended in 2018).

Omotoso advised all law-abiding Lagosians and visitors to the state to go about their businesses without any fear whatsoever, assuring that measures have been put in place to forestall any disturbance.

“Lagosians and visitors are urged to co-operate with the law enforcement agencies in our collective interest.” He added.

The State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, had recently threatened to deal ruthlessly with anybody or a group of persons who may want to protest the ban on commercial motorcycle operations in the state.