Sanwo-Olu orders total ban on Okada in six councils

The fresh ban, which becomes effective June 1, follows the February 2020 restriction placed on the activities of commercial motorcyclists.

Governor Sanwo-Olu issued the directive during a meeting with Commissioner of Police, Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) at the State House in Alausa. He urged them to enforce the ban without compromise, and warned that government will not condone any security formation that relaxes the new ban.

Sanwo-Olu said the government took the decision in line with the State’s Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018, to address the chaos and menace created by the operations of Okada riders.

He said: “After a critical review of our restriction on Okada activities in the first six local government areas where we restricted them on February 1, 2020, we have seen that the menace has not abated. We are now directing a total ban on Okada activities on the highways and bridges within these six local government areas and their local council development areas, effective June 1, 2022.

“This is a phased ban we are embarking on, and we expect that within the short while this ban will be enforced, Okada riders in other places where their activities are yet to be banned can find something else to do. We have given the notice now, and we expect all commercial motorcyclist operating in the listed councils and areas to vacate the highways before enforcement begins. The enforcement will be total.”

The governor advised residents patronising Okada riders on highways to embrace the alternative transport schemes provided by the government.

He added: “We have provided Last Mile buses in the affected areas; they are working and effective. We also have medium-capacity buses and high-capacity buses working in these areas. Before the end of the year, we are bringing the rail along these corridors with their terminals. We have provided jetties as well to provide alternatives.

“We will not watch criminally-minded people use motorcycles to perpetrate crime and criminality in Lagos. Lives are lost daily, preventable accidents happen every day and the riders disobey traffic laws. The situation has led to a complete breakdown of law and order. This ban has come to stay and we will not tolerate any weakness in enforcement.”

Commissioner of Police Abiodun Alabi directed his men to ensure complete enforcement of the governor’s order in the listed councils and areas.