Police to enforce commercial motorcyclists’ restriction law  

Some Commercial motocyclists waiting for passengers

Police to enforce commercial motorcyclists’ restriction law  
Abdul Semiu Babalola, Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command in South West Nigeria, is set to enforced the law restricting the movement of commercial motorcycle popularly called ‘Okada’ in the commercial city, without exception.

Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Yakubu Alkali, told reporters shortly after the State Security Council meeting at the Lagos House, Ikeja that the government had vowed to prosecute those indicted in the recent violent crisis in Mushin Local Government Area of the state.

According to the Police Commissioner, the Police will go into strict enforcement of the Lagos State laws on movement of Okada as designated in different parts of the State.

Strict restrictions

“We are all aware that there is a law restricting Okada movement by 8:00pm local time, within Ikoyi, Ikeja and Victoria Island and by 10:00pm generally,” he said.

Mr. Alkali said the enforcement would be total as men in uniformed who broke the law would not be spared by the Police. “We want to be very emphatic that nobody is above the law. Even if our men are arrested during this operation, no one would be treated as a sacred cow,” he noted.

He advised residents of the former Nigerian capital city to take other means of transport like Taxis, mini buses and the tricycle popularly known as ‘Keke NAPEP’ that are allowed to operate without restriction. 

The commercial motorcyclists are one of the most patronized means of transportation for the residents because of the heavy traffics on the Lagos roads. Commuters patronized the Okada operators also because it could easily reach nooks and crannies of the state without much delay.

Most of the commercial motorcyclists in their bid to make more money, often engage in reckless driven and operating in unauthorized areas and beyond allowed hours.

Commenting on those arrested in connection with the recent violent crisis in Mushin, Mr. Alkali  said the State Government  had decided to prosecute all of them, pointing out that all those who had been arrested in combined operations by the Police “will face the appropriate laws as at when due”.

He called on the people to come forward with useful information that would assist the security officials in combating crimes.

The Commissioner urged the people to be confident in the security agencies and provide information to key security officials, pointing out that there is always access to all the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), Area Commanders and even the Police Commissioner.

Williams