Okada rider assaults policeman with dagger in quest to seize 300 bikes

Admin l Monday, August 22, 2022

 

LAGOS, Nigeria – Operatives of the Lagos State Taskforce have carried out numerous raids  in Oko-Oba, Local Airport Road and Abeokuta Expressway where okada riders have been operating despite the ban on their activities.

Speaking on the recent activities of the agency, The Chairman, CSP Shola Jejeloye  said enforcement of the ban on the activities of okada operation in the restricted areas would be a continuous one due to the fact that there are still some of them who are foolhardy and bent on riding their bikes with no regard for traffic rules in the State.

CSP Jejeloye further disclosed that though the level of compliance on Abeokuta Expressway is impressive, the agency still recorded confiscation of 45 bikes along that axis in the past one week while 113 bikes were impounded at Oko-Oba and 29 suspects were arrested. He said 15 bikes were also seized at Local Airport Road in Ikeja while 82 bikes were impounded at Apapa-Oshodi Expressway during the week long raid.

Meanwhile the agency also raided Jakande and Iyana Ejigbo axis where not less than 120 motorbikes were impounded.

During the course of carrying out their lawful duties today, officers of the Agency were provoked by a knife wielding butcher who injured one of the officers.

“These are some of the professional hazards we face daily on the job” Jejeloye stated. “The level of compliance of the ban on okada activities is very impressive but we still have some rebellious operators who ply in the evenings or sometimes weekends, thinking we are going to be relaxed at those times. We have corrected that thought by impounding the bikes and arresting both riders and passengers who will be made to face the court immediately”

The Chairman urged his men and officers to gear up for more activities following the recent announcement by the State Government on the inclusion of three Local Government Area and Five Local Council Development Areas to list of banned locations of okada operations.

He maintained that though the agency had never rested on its oars to ensure that sanity is restored on Lagos Roads, more efforts would be put in collaboration with other Police Divisions and security agencies to stamp out okada operations in those areas come September.