The Lagos State Police Command is reiterating its efforts in continuing the enforcement of the strong ban which was slammed on commercial motorcycles (Okada).
The Lagos government prohibited okada operations on highways and in six local government areas.
The affected LGAs are Apapa, Eti Osa, Ikeja, Lagos Island, Surulere, and Lagos Mainland.
On Saturday, Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin narrated how policemen were, Friday night, attacked in Ikorodu. The spokesman said the personnel were fought by hoodlums and riders who tried to stop them.
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Hundeyin noted that the raid was carried out after numerous reports about motorcyclists operating at night.
“We reviewed our strategy and stormed Ikorodu last night (existing ban on all highways).
“The riders and hoodlums attacked the Police. We activated our standby backup. 50 arrested, 14 motorcycles impounded.”
The PRO further disclosed that the next action would be the crushing of the seized bikes.
This is definitely not the best of times for commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada riders, operating in satellite communities in Ogun State, following reports of harassment and extortion by men of the state Police Command. Operators said the harassment and extortion is worse at night, around Mowe, Pakuro, Lotto and Olowotedo in Obafemi-Owode Local council of the state.
Narrating his ordeal to Newsmen a rider, who operates within Lotto-Pakuro axis, said the police officers often come out about 10:00p.m., posing as passengers only to seize their motorcycles.
The rider stressed that the officers collect between ₦5,000 to ₦10,000 to release seized motorcycles , depending on the manner of approach.
Last Friday, the officers also came out for a raid, during which many motorcycles were seized. While some of the motorcycles were taken to Mowe Police station, others were released to their owners, who paid between ₦3,000 and ₦5,000.
One of the affected motorcyclists, simply identified as Idowu, said the harassment was the reason behind lack of motorcycles at Pakuro, Lotto and other Bus Stops, immediately after 10.00p.m. Idowu stressed that their operations were helpful to residents of the satellite towns, who often returned late from Lagos, where most of them work, due to the traffic situation along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
