The Lagos Police Command has issued a notice to all commercial motorcycle operators in the state that from June 15, it would begin a clamp down on those operating illegally.
According to a statement made available to Transport Day, and signed by Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Police Command, SP Chike Oti Police, “In view of the unfortunate incident of 30th May, 2018, whereby some commercial motorcyclists, popularly called okada riders, attempted to burn Ibeshe Police Post but ended up burning a police patrol vehicle stationed at a black spot in the town, a meeting was held to discuss the issue”.
According to the Police, the meeting, “convened by the police authorities in Lagos State, was attended by different okada unions in the state, such as MOALS (Motorcycle Operators Association of Lagos state) NAMORA (Nigeria Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association) and ORWA (Okada Riders Welfare Association).
“During the meeting, which held at the MD Abubakar Conference Hall of the police headquarters, the CP decried the attitude of some okada riders who attack members of the public or constituted authorities at the slightest disagreement. He warned that the police would not only arrest unruly okada riders but ensure that they face the full wrath of the law”.
At the end of the meeting, it was resolved that from June 15, 2018, any motorcycle without licence plate number will be impounded; all commercial motorcycle operators are restricted from plying the highways and the bridges; and every commercial motorcycle operator must register with any of the approved unions for the purpose of accountability and easy identification.
Other resolutions are that every commercial motorcycle operator must wear an apron which must indicate the union he belongs and bear boldly, his identification number, and that a joint taskforce, comprising the police, the Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental Sanitation and members of the motorcycle unions to oversee the implementation of the resolution reached and the enforcement of the Lagos State traffic laws.
