Okada: Lagos extends ban to more councils


Affected areas are: Kosofe, Mushin, Oshodi-Isolo, Shomolu LGAs. Others are: Isolo, Ejigbo, Bariga, Odi-Olowo & Agboyi-Ketu LCDAs.

•Rolls out alternative modes of transportation

GOVERNOR Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has placed a total ban on the activities of commercial motorcyclists, popularly called Okada riders in additional four Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas of the state, commencing from September 1, 2022.

This came amid calls by traditional rulers, religious leaders, residents, Community Development Associations and other stakeholders for a total ban on the operations of Okada riders across the state to curb insecurity.

On May 18, 2022, Governor Sanwo-Olu banned Okada operations in six Local Governments and nine Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs.

Speaking on the fresh ban, the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso; Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai and Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, announced this at an inter-ministerial media briefing held at Alausa, Ikeja. 

The affected new councils include Kosofe, Ikosi-Isheri, Agboyi-Ketu LCDAs, Oshodi-Isolo, Isolo, Ejigbo LCDAs, Shomolu, Bariga LCDA and Mushin, Odi-Olowo LCDA.

Oladeinde said: "It is no longer news that there is a rise in the level of insecurity as a result of the rampage of banditry and kidnapping across all states of the Federation. The Federal Government, therefore, is presently considering the total ban of motorcycle operations across the Federation as most of these underground activities are being enhanced with the use of motorcycles.

"The data shows that the operations have significant gains and compliance rate in the concerned areas as available records' shows that crime and accident rate have reduced astronomically by 86 per cent and 63.7 per cent respectively within the period under review and a total of 7,500 motorcycles impounded and crushed accordingly, hence, the need to sustain this achievement.

"Based on the apparent positive impact of the ban and the resolution of the Stakeholders' forum, Mr Governor has approved the ban of Okada in another four LGs and their respective five LCDAs for the 2nd Phase of the total ban, in addition to the on-going ban in the six LGs and their respective LCDAs.

"This decision is to further consolidate on the achievements made so far with particular reference to decline in Accident and Crime rate as well as to continue to bring sanity to our communities within the state." 

 Alternative modes of transport

Responding to the concerns raised by journalists on a possible relief package for residents of the affected areas, the commissioner said: "We are deploying more buses into the inner roads just to make sure residents have a chance to connect to the main road.

"Furthermore, the State Government's existing interventions aimed at empowering her citizens should equally be accessed as an alternative means of livelihood for the affected riders from interventions coordinated by the ministries, departments and agencies such as Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, WAPA, Ministry of Wealth Creations and Employment, among others."

Omotoso, in his remarks, restated the state government's commitment to the safety and security of lives and properties in the state, "hence, motorcycle impounded will be crushed and the process will be made public." 

"We implore the general public to join hands together with the state government by complying with the decision of the government geared towards combating the monster that Okada operation has created so that sanity can return to our state," Omotoso stated.

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