Lagos clamps down on okada riders, hawkers in renewed onslaught

With the general elections concluded, there has been a renewed onslaught against motorcycle operators to enforce the Lagos State Traffic Law 2012.

In the last one week, officials of the state task force with the full complement of mobile policemen have been raiding and impounding motorcycles seen plying on restricted routes, amounting to over 2,000.

An officer attached to the task force in Ikeja who pleaded for anonymity told The Guardian yesterday that the raid was in reaction to the outcry of the masses. “We embarked on the operation because of citizens’ complaint, which is too much, especially hoodlums snatching people’s bags and phones with the okadas.”

He noted that the clampdown was not to get back at masses but instill some sanity back to the roads by enforcing the law, as laid down in 2012 by the then governor, Babatunde Fashola.

Many who have lost their bikes to the raid said the government is making life complicated for them and their families, as their only source of livelihood depends on daily proceeds.

The Guardian, Thursday, March 28

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