Traffic violations: Lagos Renews War Against Okada Riders, Impounds 125 Motorcycles

The operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Agency (Taskforce) have commenced a clampdown on illegal commercial motorcycle operators plying restricted routes including all inner streets across Lagos.

The Chairman of the Agency, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi disclosed that the clampdown which started on Wednesday had 125 motorcycles impounded for flouting traffic regulations around Ejigbo and Cele bus-stops.

He stated that the Agency was compelled to embark on the crackdown, sequel to a series of complaints received on daily basis from innocent members of the public about criminal activities perpetrated by the illegal commercial motorcycle operators early in the morning and late at night.

He said: "We are going to make sure that there is total compliance with the Lagos Traffic Regulations by all commercial motorcycle operators in all our Local Governments and Local Council Council Development Areas as well as by those operating within inner streets".

“In accordance with the Traffic Laws, every motorcycle operator must wear crash helmets, be above 18 years, not ride on kerb/median/road-setbacks, avoid restricted routes, not carry more than one passenger/pregnant woman/Adult with baby/Child below 12 years, not install any musical gadgets, must wear an apron, not operate beyond 10pm, operate with a rider's permit and have their motorcycle registered with Government”, he added.

According to the Chairman, research conducted by the government revealed that most riders of the illegal commercial motorcycles are not from Nigeria but from neighbouring countries, adding that some of them are also involved in criminal activities in the State.

He, therefore, warned all commercial motorcycle operators to ensure that their motorcycles are duly registered with the Government as anyone caught would be seriously dealt with in accordance with the law.

While warning the general public, especially motorists to ensure that their valuable items are safely kept while in traffic, the Chairman solicited for the cooperation of all residents in providing useful security information about criminal activities around them to security agencies through the Lagos State free Emergency Toll Lines 112 & 767.