…Thousands of motorcycles seized
Men of the Lagos special task force today seized thousands of okada motorcycles in different parts of the state in what appears to be a minor clampdown to enforce the Lagos traffic rules which banned operation of motorcycles in some routes in the state.
The major clampdown our reporter gathered is the first step by the Babajide Sanwo olu administration to effect the law promulgated by the former governor Babatunde Raji Fashola in 2012 which banned the use of okada motorcycles otherwise known as okada in some strategic areas of the Lagos Lagos metropolis but the law was relaxed by the immediate past administration led by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
The men of the task force who invaded major bus stops like Iju,Fagba,Ogba and other areas with heavily armed policemen came in big lorries and were seen leaving pgba bus stop with their catch and some riders arrested around 12.30pm.
However, riders of other brands of motorcycles like O Pay,O Ride,Go Kada and trycycles otherwise known as. Keke Marwa were not arrested in the noon exercise.
It was learnt that the state government which had two weeks ago contemplated an outright ban of all categories of motorcycles were prevailed upon by stake holders who advised the government to instead enforce the exisisting law which banned operation of okada in many roads in the state.
A top source in the Sanwo olu government told Newdawn that the entrance of big players like O Kara,O ride prevented the outright ban hence government settled for enforcement of the exisisting traffic laws which would in a way remove all untrained okada operators especially those who come to Lagos from other parts of the country.
The influx of these set of non Nigerians have been a source of concern to the state government in recent weeks especially as a result of their security implications in the state.
Besides,the increasing incidence of vehicle accidents, traffic disruptions and breakdown of state traffic rules have necessitated the need for government to take drastic actions.
Today’s exercise is said to be a dress rehearsal and deterrent to potential aliens who have invaded Lagos metropolis of recent.
