In pursuance of the Lagos State government total ban of commercial motorcyclists’ operations, the state taskforce recently raided some areas in the state and impounded no fewer than 150 motorcycles.
The state taskforce chairman, CSP Shola Jejeloye, disclosed this in his office at Bolade, Oshodi, Lagos on Sunday.
He noted that the impounded motorcycles belong to recalcitrant okada operators, land grabbers and environmental laws violators who have refused to heed the warnings by the State Government to stop their illegal activities.
The Chairman made the disclosure after a week-long operation carried out by the Agency in areas like Ogba, Apapa, Tradefair, Elemoro, Ojodu and its environs, where he said, traces of okada operations had been noticed.
Jejeloye disclosed that during the combing of the area, 10 okada passengers were also apprehended for driving on the restricted BRT corridor and that after being charged to court, they have been fined 50,000 Naira or serve three months in Badagry Correctional Centre.
“It has come to our notice through our discreet investigations and also via feedbacks from members of the Public that okada riders have aggressively been returning to streets to operate. It is quite unfortunate because we will ensure that any okada caught operating will be impounded and crushed. Passengers and riders who are also caught will be charged to court as well” Jejeloye stated.
The Chairman also reiterated that the Agency would remain resolute in ensuring that the menace of okada and infractions in Lagos never resurfaces as he and his men would carry on with aggressive enforcement exercises to maintain sanity which Lagosians have evidently enjoyed since the ban was put in place.
“We will work hard to achieve orderliness on Lagos Roads in line with the agenda of the State Government and we will make sure we do all it takes to key into for a greater Lagos. No amount of aggressiveness or resistance from okada riders can match our determination to create an enabling environment for every law abiding Lagosian.”
In a related developments, CSP Jejeloye, revealed that the Agency has made considerable amount of progress in dislodging Land Grabbers in the State and vowed to go after any unscrupulous element still involved in the practice. He further stated that the Agency provides security back up for other Agencies of the State Government in ensuring that developmental programmes and activities aimed at providing succor to the populace are not hindered by criminal elements around.
He urged all Lagosians to report any suspicious or criminal acitivity within their locality to the nearest Police Station or through the various online media channels of the agency.