The Lagos State Government yesterday launched the Anti-Okada Squad to enforce the ban on commercial motorbikes, which will commence today in six local government areas of Lagos State and their local councils.
The state Ministry of Transportation held an orientation exercise at the Adeyemi Bero auditorium in Alausa, Ikeja, for 600 newly recruited members of the squad.
The announcement came as the Lagos State Police Command said it was ready to enforce the ban on commercial motorcyclists, urging them to avoid the forbidden routes or leave Lagos.
In addition, the Lagos State Ferry Services, or LAGFERRY, claimed it has sent extra boats for operations to mitigate the probable consequences of the commuter ban.
The goal of forming the squad, according to State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Fredrick Oladeinde, was to guarantee efficient execution of the prohibition order.
According to Oladeinde, “In line with the commencement of the ban on motorcycle operations within six LGAs and the respective Local Council Development Areas, the Ministry of Transportation inaugurated an anti-Okada squad.”
The team would reportedly be augmented by armed personnel of the Nigerian Police Force, the Army, and other security organizations.
"Any impounded Okada would be brought to a crusher factory for destruction, and suspects will be punished under the revised state traffic legislation," a top government official told Vanguard on condition of anonymity.
Forceful Display
The Lagos State Police Command joined other security agencies, including the Navy, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Lagos Safety Neighbourhood Corps, and the Federal Road Safety Corps, in a show of force yesterday to convey a message about its preparedness.
The joint operational procession began at the Command headquarters in Ikeja and proceeded through the states of Maryland, Surulere, Itire, Ikate, Orile Iganmu, and Lekki.
Officials from the Ministry of Information handed pamphlets about the prohibition to locals throughout the drill. They also conducted a sensitization campaign with Okada riders in the three major Nigerian languages, ostensibly to better communicate with them. They asked the riders to follow the ban's direction issued by the Lagos State Government.
"The show of force sends a clear warning to those who are not ready to stand by the rule of the state," Ahmad Kontagora, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, said in an interview with media after the Show of Force. With those who are criminals among them, we will not take it lightly. We are aggressive and battle-ready to execute the legislation, and it will become a reality because Lagos is not the only state that has outlawed Okadas, and Lagos will not be an exception. It's happened in other states, and we're going to battle it until we win.
“Law-abiding citizens should go about their lawful business without fear and they should be rest assured that they can sleep with their two eyes closed. We won’t allow the criminally minded among the riders to rest until we achieve our aims.
“We will not humiliate or torture anyone arrested. Rather, they will face their charges at the court of law.”
Abiodun Alabi, the Commissioner of the Lagos State Police Command, had earlier promised Lagosians that their lives and property would be adequately protected when the enforcement began. He also debunked reports that the Okada ban will result in a collapse of law and order.
The Ban.
Remember that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu revised the 2012 Lagos Traffic Law governing Okada operations on May 10, 2021, after his predecessors, Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, had prohibited them.
Fashola signed the Lagos Road Traffic Law 2012, which prohibits okadas from operating on at least 492 of the metropolis' 9200 roadways, in an effort to decrease the threat they have posed in previous years.
The new restriction, on the other hand, came in response to a series of concerns expressed by locals and a traditional ruler in the Lekki region, Oniru of IruLand, Oba Omogbolahan Lawal, Abisogun II, about the urgent need to prevent security breaches in the area and, by extension, the state.
This came after a recent attack on David Umoh, a 37-year-old sound engineer. At Admiralty Way, Lekki, Lagos, Phase 1, he was lynched by enraged Okada riders.
Govt dismisses anxiety over Okada
The Lagos State Government, on its part, has reassured people about the ban.
"There is no cause for any fear regarding the execution of the prohibition, which has been praised by the majority of Lagosians as a reinforcement of the Lagos Traffic Law 2012," stated Gbenga Omotoso, Commissioner for Information and Strategy (amended in 2018).
"The administration wants to reassure all law-abiding residents that they may go about their daily lives without worry, as precautions have been put in place to prevent any disruption." Residents and visitors to Lagos are urged to work with law enforcement agencies in the public interest."
Okada Riders Reaction
Some of the riders who spoke with Vanguard indicated that they were willing to follow the command. Others, on the other hand, stated they would only monitor the situation for two days, after which the security services' zeal would die down.
"I will remain away for two days because I don't want to be a sacrificial goat," said Ahmed Musa, who drove our reporter from Apapa to Berger Yard bus stop during the probe. But have faith in Nigerians; it will be phased out soon; after all, this isn't the first time they've prohibited our operations on certain routes."
"It will not go well with individuals who inflicted this misery to real bikers," stated another rider, Chijioke Nwampi. In 2012, I began riding Okada. This is the method I employ to feed my family. I've never used it to commit robbery. I've never been in an accident, either, since I always ride defensively. I'm curious as to what life will be like when the ban starts tomorrow.
Some, on the other hand, promised to fight any attempt to limit their movement. "They go murder us tire," one of them, who identified himself only as Ganiu, said in pigin English. We're not thieves, and we're not looking for job, so what do you think the government wants us to do?"
