Police spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin has stated that the prohibition of bikes on Lagos major roads has helped to reduce the amount of crime in the state, particularly traffic robberies.
In addition to the commercial motorcycle riders’ traffic infractions, Hundeyin added that the command was concerned about traffic robberies that used motorbikes as a mode of transportation.
However, he said that after the prohibition, the number of reports of motorcycle-related traffic robberies and accidents has decreased.
Hundeyin said; “Traffic robbery has reduced drastically in Lagos state. All thanks to the ban on motorcycles in some local government areas and expressway.”
Recall that Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu declared in May that commercial motorbikes, or “Okadas,” would be completely banned from operating in six local government districts, including Ikeja, Surulere, Etiosa, Lagos Island, Mainland, and Apapa, as of June 1.
Later, the governor announced the addition of four more local government areas, bringing the total to 10 LGAs: Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Shomolu, and Mushin.
According to NAN’s investigations, many of the motorcycle owners moved to other areas of the state where they could operate legally, while others moved to other states, sold their bikes to buy other bikes, or started other enterprises.
Residents of the state responded to the governor’s declaration in a variety of ways.
The majority of people were concerned about the ban’s economic impact and the problems it would cause, while some people applauded the governor’s decision.
According to the governor, the increase in crime, notably motorcycle traffic robberies, and the disregard for traffic laws were the main factors in the decision to enact the ban.
Sanwo-Olu added that the government decided to take urgent action to address the confusion and threat caused by Okada activities in the regions designated in the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018.
He instructed the law enforcement to strictly enact the directive.
The statement read; “After a critical review of our restriction on Okada activities in the first six local government areas, where we restricted them on Feb. 1, 2020, we have seen that the menace has not abated. We are now directing a total ban on Okada activities across the highways and bridges within these six local government and their local council development areas, effective from June 1.
“This is a phased ban we are embarking on this period, and we expect that within the short while when this ban will be enforced, Okada riders in other places where their activities are yet to be banned can find something else to do.
“We have given the notice now and we expect all commercial motorcycles plying the routes in the listed councils and areas to vacate the highways before enforcement begins. The enforcement will be total.”
NAN, also noted that many states of the federation have also outlawed the use of commercial motorbikes in their cities as a result of security reports on motorcycle-related crimes.
