- Safiu Kehinde
No fewer than 63 motorcycles have been impounded by the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Task Force) in continued efforts by the agency to enforce ban on motorcycles in some parts of the state.
This was made known in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele.
According to Akerele, the Task Force had launched a comprehensive operation targeting recalcitrant motorcycle (Okada) operators, who persist in violating the ban on restricted routes, highways, and bridges across the state.
“This exercise, which has been reinforced in areas where recralcitrant okada riders were noticable in the state, has led to the seizure of 63 motorcycles,” he said.
Akerele said that the latest enforcement operation was carried out in areas, such as Mile 2 Oke bridge, Mile2 under bridge, Berger Suya, Amuwo odofin and Apple junction in Festac area, where operators were found blatantly flouting the state’s traffic regulations.
The chairman said that the agency, in collaboration with other security outfits, had vowed to maintain zero-tolerance approach to violations on the restricted routes.
“The ban on okada operations in certain areas was put in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all Lagos residents, and we will not tolerate any breach of this order.
“Those who continue to operate in restricted areas, endangering the lives of road users, will face the full wrath of the law.
“Despite repeated warnings and sensitisation efforts, some operators remain defiant, thereby endangering public safety,” he said.
According to him, the 63 motorcycles impounded during Friday’s operation have been confiscated, and legal action will be taken against the violators.
Akerele reiterated the state government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents as spelt out in the THEMES PLUS agenda, urging okada operators to adhere strictly to the laws governing their operations.
He called on members of the public to cooperate with law enforcement officers by reporting violations and desist from patronising okada operators for their own safety.
The agency boss vowed to continue its patrols and enforcement activities across the state, particularly in areas that were prone to illegal okada operations.