called Okada riders are as common in Lagos as traffic jams. More often
than not, such clashes have led to injuries and death of innocent
residents, especially commuters. The situation worsened about two
years ago when the State government announced a restriction order on
Okada riders, especially on major routes in the State.
The restriction order prohibits the Okada from plying 475 roads,
including major bridges. Since the order came into force, several
commercial motorcycles have been seized by policemen in a bid to
ensure compliance. The restriction order which commenced in July 2012,
was, according to the State government, to minimise commercial
motorcycle-related accidents on the roads.
Meanwhile, reports from various quarters have it that policemen took
advantage of the situation to make life unbearable for the average
Okada riders in the State by extending their enforcement to routes the
state government did not designate as restricted.
About a year ago, residents of Oke-Afa, Ejigbo, heaved a sigh of
relief when rehabilitation of the Kudirat Adenekan Way was completed
by the State government as this has reduced the usual bumper-to-
bumper traffic jam in the area.
However, Vanguard reports that the joy associated with this
development might be short-lived. There reason was borne out of the
constant extortion and harassment of Okada riders by policemen from
both Ejigbo and Isolo divisions who allegedly regard the riders their
"ATM machines". Attempts by the riders to refuse being thus used have
led to several clashes resulting to destruction of lives and property
in the area.
The residents, through their Community Development Association, CDA,
have appealed to both the State government and Lagos State
Commissioner of Police, Umaru Manko, to save them by restoring peace
to the area.
Investigations revealed that no fewer than 12 persons, including three
policemen, were injured, while a building and two police vans were
vandalised during one of the clashes between the riders and policemen
from Ejigbo division which occurred on Tuesday August 19, 2014.
Investigations also revealed that the clash during which dangerous
weapons were used was the outcome of the resistance by Okada riders to
constant harassment and extortion by policemen. Presently, many Okada
operators in Oke Afa now ride with reckless abandon, believing that
they now have the upper hand following their clash with the police.
The CDA in a statement signed by its Chairman Mr Oyedipe Dapo, and
titled ''Ilamose under siege", wants government to address security
situation as well as illegal conversion of roads and walkways to
markets and motor parks.
''We strongly believe that government has decided to play politics
with our well-being by ignoring the security of our lives and
properties. The Lagos State Police Command(Ajao Division), the Lagos
State Task Force on Environment and Special Duties, the Lagos State
Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA and the Kick Against
Indiscipline, KAI, have all compromised their professional integrity
for financial gains. The unfortunate violence unleashed by commercial
motorcycle riders on Tuesday August 19, against the Police over
extortion within and around Kudirat Adenekan way, January 27 bridge
and Chivita Avenue all in Ejigbo and Isolo LCDAs was a show of shame,"
the statement read in part.
The CDA also said in the statement: "We understand that some Okada
riders are responsible citizens and that the state government's policy
on transportation has conformed with international practice, hence we
want a situation where they are identified and membership also pegged
for ease of operation and identification. We also want to see visible
government intervention through the Ministry of Transportation in this
regard as many of them have converted our streets, drive ways and
properties into parks while constituting nuisance and security risk to
our lives and properties. Through investigations, it was revealed that
95 per cent of these riders do not have vehicle licence. We would also
want to see the removal of these foreigners, who do not have no
respect for lives and property. The illegal street market activities
which cause serious traffic gridlock and dumping of refuse in the
canal are threats to human lives."
Vanguard
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