10 Okada passengers charged to court as Lagos Taskforce impounds 150 bikes

No fewer than 10 passengers of commercial motorcycles popularly known as Okada have been charged to court for flouting the law which prohibits Okada in some parts of Lagos.

This was enforced by the Lagos State Taskforce which also impounded 150 motorbikes in the cause of week-long enforcement in the state.

Disclosing this in Lagos, on Sunday, at the Agency’s headquarters office, in Bolade, Oshodi, Chairman of the Agency, CSP Shola Jejeloye, said the operations were carried out at Ogba, Apapa, Tradefair, Elemoro, Ojodu and its environs.

He disclosed that traces of commercial motorcycles operations popularly known as Okada had been noticed in the aforementioned areas and other parts of the State despite the ban on their activities still being in place, prompting the need for the Agency to carry out the necessary mop-up exercises in the city.

Jejeloye said that though there was about 95 per cent compliance but yet about 150 commercial bikes were impounded for willfully operating on restricted routes and flouting traffic rules in some others.

The Chairman said the 10 passengers were also apprehended for plying the restricted BRT corridor and they have all been charged to court and were fined N50,000 or served three months in Badagry Correctional Centre.

“It has come to our notice through our discreet investigations and also via feedback from members of the Public that okada riders have aggressively been returning to streets to operate. It is quite unfortunate because we will ensure that any Okada caught operating will be impounded and crushed.

“Passengers and riders who are also caught will be charged to court as well” Jejeloye stated.