Why Lagos Gov. Sanwo Olu Banned Okada In Six LGA’s | READ DETAILS

Why Lagos Gov. Sanwo Olu Banned Okada In Six LGA’s | READ DETAILS

The Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo Olu, has banned motorcycles (Okada) from operating in six local government areas of the state.

The ban is following the death of David Imoh, a sound engineer who was lynched around Lekki phase one over N100.

A tweeter user Ufuoma (@thecoloredpen), wrote;

“#JusticeforDavid killed in Lagos over #100

“A group of musicians in Lagos had “regular” to play at Beer-bar along Admiralty road that evening. The sound engineer and keyboard player who mounted the same bike had an argument with the okada man (an aboki guy) which resulted in what became a cold-blooded night.

“The other okada riders (that were of the same tribe) came out and tried to avenge their “brother”. To cut the long story short, try were beaten to a pulp and the sound engineer lost his life right there. “As if that was not enough, the sound engineer was burnt right there on the road. To make matters worse, the saxophonist that was to play for the night heard about what was happening while the fight just ensued and he went to try to settle not having a full grasp of what was really going on.

“On getting there, he was also beaten to a pulp. The saxophonist (Frank) and the keyboardist (Philip) had to be taken to the emergency unit of the hospital where they were later admitted. Philip plays for D’banj Frank plays for Phyno.”

Meanwhile, four suspects have been arrested over the mu-rder of the sound engineer.

According to the governor, the ban affects Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Surulere, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, and Apapa.

Sanwo Olu wrote;

After a critical review of our restriction on Okada activities in the first six Local Government Areas where we restricted them on February 1, 2020, we have seen that the menace has not abated.

Therefore, we are now directing a total ban on Okada activities across the highways and bridges within six Local Government and their Local Council Development Areas, effective from June 1, 2022.

The affected councils are Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Surulere, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, and Apapa. The total ban order also extends to all LCDAs under these councils.

This is a phased ban which we are embarking on, and we expect that within the shortest time, this ban will be enforced.

We have given the notice now, and we expect all commercial motorcycles plying the routes in the listed councils and areas vacate the highways before enforcement begins.

We have advised the police to enforce the order without compromise, and we would not condone any security formation that relaxes the new ban in its jurisdiction.

Residents patronising Okada riders on highways should embrace alternative transportation schemes already provided by our administration to plan their journey.

We have provided Last Mile buses in the affected areas; they are working and effective. We also have medium-capacity buses and high-capacity buses working in these areas. Before the end of the year, we are also bringing the rail along these corridors with their terminals. We have provided jetties as well to provide alternatives.

We will not sit back and watch criminally-minded people use a mode of transportation to perpetrate crimes and criminality in Lagos. Lives are being lost on a daily basis, preventable accidents are happening every day and the riders are not respecting any of our traffic laws.

The situation has led to a complete breakdown of law and order. This ban has come to stay and we will not tolerate any weakness in enforcement.