Lagos task force impounds motorcycles in renewed operation
THE Lagos State Task Force on Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences has impounded 174 motorcycles in a renewed operation against recalcitrant commercial motorcyclists across the state.
The agency vowed to bring operations of the motorcyclists, popularly known as okada, to an end, even as it carried out a weeklong raid. The exercise was led by the chairman of the agency, Shola Jejeloye. The raid saw the agency impound 50 motorcycles in the Abule Ado axis; 50 in the Berger/ Grammar School area; and 70 in the Abule Egba axis.
Jejeloye lamented that activities of the motorcyclists have continued to put the lives of Lagosians in danger. He also warned uniformed personnel to obey extant rules and regulations guiding the use of motorcycles or face prosecution.
He said: “We have taken it upon ourselves to end okada operations in the state. We are putting all mechanisms in place to ensure we achieve this goal.
"There is a ban on their activities along selected routes and local councils in Lagos. Therefore, they should not be allowed to operate as they please.
“There will be no sacred cows in the enforcement. Therefore, any uniformed man caught conveying passengers on a motorcycle for commercial purposes will be thoroughly dealt with. We should be the ones setting the right examples, not breaking them. It will no longer be business as usual." Jejeloye added: "Any operator found wanting will be severely dealt with, in accordance with the laws of the state. It is our resolve in 2024 to ensure that the terminal end of every enforcement is the court. “Therefore, the fixed mindset of all environmental and traffic violators who think they can get away with every infraction through ‘ man knows man’ or godfatherism will not be tolerated. Enough is enough!”