Chaos As Task Force Commences Arrest Of Okada, Keke Ahead Of Deadline In Lagos

LAGOS JANUARY 28^TH (NEWSRANGERS)-There was chaos in major areas of Lagos State as Task Force has commenced arresting commercial motorcycles and tricycles even before the February 1st take off announced by the government.

Many commercial motorcycle and tricycle drivers were crying, lamenting over the forceful seizure of the bikes.

Some said they got the bikes on credit and that they have not paid for their bikes, saying they were taken unaware as the February 1st announced by the government has not reached.

Barely some hours after the media report on Monday that the Lagos State Government has announced that starting from February 1st, 2020, it would ban commercial motorcycles and tricycles in some six local government areas and nine local council development areas, the Lagos Task Force stormed Alakuko, Alagbado in Ojokoro LGA of Lagos state (which is not part of the restricted areas) and arrested about 32 Okada and 18 tricycles.

On Tuesday, the Task Force continued their raid in Ikeja and Agege, carting away many motorcycles and tricycles.

On Monday, the Lagos state government has announced embargo on the operations of commercial motorcycle and tricycles in six local government areas and nine local council development areas starting from February 1st, 2020.

In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho, said the government took the decision to ban the operation of Okada and tricycles due to the havoc they cause in those communities.

The statement reads: “After a robust assessment of the debate on what has been widely referred to as the Motorcycle (Okada) and Tricycle (Keke) Menace, the Lagos State Government and the State Security Council have decided that the security and safety of lives of Lagosians are paramount.

The figures are scary.

“From 2016 to 2019, there were over 10,000 accidents recorded at the General Hospitals alone. This number excludes unreported cases and those recorded by other hospitals. The total number of deaths from reported cases is over 600 as at date.

“The rate of crimes aided by Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) keeps rising. Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) are also used as getaway means by criminals.

“Therefore, after consultations with stakeholders, the State Security Council, in compliance with the extant Transport Sector Reform Law 2018, has decided to commence enforcement of the law which bans the operation of Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) in the following Local Governments (LGs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs):

Apapa LG and Apapa Iganmu LCDA

Lagos Mainland LG and Yaba LCDA

Surulere LG, Itire-Ikate and Coker-Aguda LCDAs

Ikeja LG, Onigbongbo and Ojodu LCDAs

Eti-Osa LG, Ikoyi-Obalende and Iru/Victoria Island LCDAs

Lagos Island LG and Lagos Island East LCDA

“The full enforcement begins on February 1, 2020.

“This is the first stage of the State Government’s plan to sanitize our roads and protect Lagosians from the negative effects of these illegal modes of transportation.

The Law is very clear. Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) are banned on all highways, bridges and the listed roads.

Major Highways

1. Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

2. Apapa-Oshodi Expressway

3. Oworonshoki-Oshodi Expressway

4. Lagos-Ikorodu Expressway

5. Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway

6. Third Mainland Bridge

7. Eti-Osa/Lekki-Epe Expressway

8. Lagos-Badagry Expressway

9. Funsho Williams Avenue

10. Agege Motor Road

11. Eti-Osa Lekki Coastal Road

Bridges

1. Iyana- Ipaja Bridge Agege

2. Dopemu Bridge Agege

3. Airport/Ikeja Bridge

4. Agege Motor road/oshodi Loop, Oshodi

5. Mushin/Isolo Link Bridge

6. Dorman Long Bridge

7. Ojuelegba Bridge

8. National Stadium Flyover

9. Apapa-Iganmu Bridge

10. Apapa-Ijora Link Bridge

11. Liverpool Bridge, Apapa

12. Mile 2 Bridge-Loop, Amuwo-Odofin

13. Okota (cele)/Ijesha Link Bridge

14. Apakun/Apapa-Oshodi Bridge Network

15. Ikorodu Road/Anthony Clover leaf Bridge

16. Trade Fair Flyover Bridge

17. Trade Fair Flyover Bridge

18. Festac/Amuwo-Odofin Link Bridge

19. 2 Flyover Bridges along Alhaji Masha Road

20. Ojota Clover leaf Bridge

21. Ogudu Bridge

22. 3rd Mainland Bridge

23. Maryland flyover

24. Ikeja General Hospital Flyover Bridge

25. Kodesoh Bridge, Oba Akran, Ikeja

26. Opebi Link Bridge

27. Sheraton-Opebi Bridge

28. Jibowu/Yaba flyover Bridge

29. Carter Bridge, Lagos

30. Bariga-Ifako Bridge

31. Apapa-Oshodi Expressway/Alapere Bridge

32. Bariga/Oworonsoki Bridge

33. Apapa-Oshodi Expressway/Gbagada U-Turn

34. Apapa-Oshodi Expressway/3rd Mainland Bridge

35. 3rd Mainland/Oworonsoki Bridge

36. Eko Bridge

37. Apongbon flyover Bridge

38. Cowry Bridge (Officers Mess)

39. Mcwen Bridge (Bonny Camp)

40. Marina/Ikoyi Bridge

41. Ikoyi/Obalende Bridge

Law enforcement agents have been directed that with effect from February 1, 2020, there will be Zero Tolerance for Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) in (on) the listed Local Governments, highways and bridges. Members of the public are hereby notified that all offenders and violators will be dealt with in accordance with the Law.

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