The Lagos State Taskforce on Monday raided Lekki area of Lagos, arrested 10 okada riders and impounded 123 bikes following the killing of a Sound Engineer, David Imoh.
Irate okada riders had engaged in jungle justice by burning Imoh to death and were about to set another ablaze when the police intervened.
Officials of the Taskforce, led by the Chairman, CSP Shola Jejeloye stormed the area on Monday morning to clampdown on okada riders.
The operation, which lasted for about four hours began in the early hours of today, leaving 10 okada operators arrested and also led to the seizure of 123 bikes plying the Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lekki Phase 1 axis, Admiralty way and its environs for operating on restricted routes and constituting nuisance in the State.
Speaking on the exercise, Jejeloye stressed that the agency had carried out series of raids and seizures along the Lekki axis in the past but that unfortunately, the operators of commercial motorcycles had refused to turn over a new leaf, thus causing mayhem in the State with the resultant effect worrisome.
Jejeloye further stated that the agency had been to this area severally to make arrests and seize some of the bikes plying one-way and restricted routes, but “unfortunately these Okada operators are found back on the same roads the following week. Some even put up resistance when apprehended because they see nothing wrong in what they are doing.
“The murder of Mr David by the suspected okada men is a painful and tragic incident, hence the need to intensify our activities in the axis and in the State to ensure that the menace of Okada is brought to a complete halt and also prevent a re-occurrence of such an inhumane and barbaric act,” he said.
The Chairman also charged his men to be proactive as operation ‘Kogberegbe’ is still in force and would be intensified within the metropolis in the coming days.
“Operation Kogberegbe which was launched as result of the menace of Okada operators will be reinforced in order to put an end to the nuisance caused by them. No stone will be left unturned this time in ensuring Lagosians are not intimidated while commuting in any part of the State. Enough is enough!”
Jejeloye emphasised that the menace of okada in the city was a threat to the security architecture of the state as most of these riders were non-Nigerians and had nothing at stake in case there was breakdown of law and order.
He, therefore, enjoined all well meaning Lagosians to know that the fight against the menace of okada is a collaborative effort between the government and the people. – The News.
