By Christopher Oji
The Lagos State Taskforce has arrested three commercial motorcycle riders (Okada) and three of their passengers for violating the state’s traffic law of plying restricted routes .
The Agency which has vowed to henceforth, deal with Okada riders and passengers who ply restricted routes, especially the highways, said it would arraign the suspects to stand as deterrent to other who may want to test the mighty of the state law on restrictions.
According to Director Press & Public Affairs Lagos State Taskforce, Mr. Gbadeyan Abdulraheem,”“We arrested six suspects including riders and passengers today (Friday)at CMS and we will ensure that they face the full wrath of the law. We hope that it would serve as a deterrent to others who intend riding or patronizing okada operators on restricted routes. Anyone caught would be arrested and prosecuted accordingly”
“Taskforce wish to reiterated its commitment to ridding the State of the menace of Okada operators who have deviced new means of operating on the Highways and restricted routes across the Metropolis.
“Chairman of the Agency, CSP Shola Jejeloye had led series of week long operations across strategic locations, where recalcitrant operators have been plying commercially, but with the use of a different types of inconspicuous motorcylce popularly called Lady’s Machine.
“Some of the recalcitrant okada operators,who had their bikes seized in the past have acquired more portable types of bikes called lady’s machine to carry out their operations on the Highways. These bikes are sleek and more evasive, but their antics are no match for us.
“Jejeloye,who led his officials across raids at CMS, Ebute Ero, ijora, Ikeja-Along, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, and Oshodi Bus Stop, said the need to remind the operators of the stands of the State Government on their operations across Lagos, is necessary, and no stone would be left unturned till okada operations across restricted routes are completely removed from our roads.
“Motor bikes with engine capacity below 200cc are not allowed to operate on the state Highways, therefore, all forms of bikes that fall within that range, be it the normal Okada or lady’s machine will be confiscated and crushed according to the provisions of the law.
“The Chairman promised to carry out more operations from dusk to dawn until the State’s vision on transportation is completely attained and sustained. He promised to arrest both rider and passenger caught violating the the laws governing vehicular operations on the Highways and restricted routes”.