Okada Ban: Another money making avenue for Police

The subject of Okada ban in Lagos State is not new, but there are other critical aspects that we have to look at.

Nigerians, especially most Lagos residents are used to this means of transportation. This is because they can easily navigate traffic and get to their destinations on time or ahead of time.

The Lagos State government recently enacted a transport law that banned Okada from the major highways and some routes in the state. But has the implementation been effective? The answer is no.

You still go on the highways to see okada riders going about their business without fear of any police or enforcement officers.

To make matters worse, they even operate plying the BRT lanes in some part of the state. They have this field day after they had reportedly bribed the Police and other traffic officers.

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So, no need wondering about this high level of confidence despite the existence of the law that had banned them from operating in those routes.

But the questions many have been asking is if the issue of robbery has been resolved due to the gradual facing of the ban? The answer is yes.

The matter became worsr after the killing of a young man by some okada riders in Lekki over a N100 change.

The questions many have also been asking is the alternative means of transport that have been provided by the state government to Okada.

Lagos State government unveil Lag Ride

Meanwhile, the Lagos State government have unveiled an alternative means of transport known as Lag Ride.

As people continue to face traffic challenges in the state, the state government had come up with this initiatives with the aim of ameliorating the challenges.

Since the waterways is also at work, many would be encouraged to use such means of transport as they also await the rail system that would soon kick off.

But has the due diligence been done about all these? These are questions left unanswered.

How Police invaded Ilupeju to pack hundreds of bike

Ilupeju is one of the most peaceful community in Lagos State that have recorded virtually no crime in years.

This is traceable to the high level of cooperation between the residents and proper monitoring of their environment.

The Police can be commended for their normal parade around the town as part of their job, but more has been done by the residents that have maintain peace and order.

But due to the recent ban on okada in six local governments in Lagos State, the men olf the Task Force in the Nigerian Police have seen this as a way of making financial gain.

This is based on an eyewitness account in the community. The Task Force stormed Shyllon Street- which is not a restricted route and Mushin Local Government is not among the LGs banned from running okada business.

But to the suprise of many, they stormed Ilupeju and began to park any okada they see in sight. To make matter worst, they went as far as carrying okada engines that are been repaired at a mechanic workshop.

After the operation, the union had gathered to know the way forward so that their mebers could retrieve their bikes but to no avail.

Some eyewitness claimed that some top officers within the Taskforce demanded N100,000 each to release each bike.

This has been a normal occurrence in the local government according to a source. He revealed that those around Olosan Police Station and Ilupeju Police Station usually seize bikes and only release them, after N10,000 brine is offered for each pf them.

But this recent raid is what an answer is yet to be provided to.

What can Okada ban lead to in Lagos State?

Lagos State is a metropolitan area that has been used to this means of transport.

In Benin Republic for instance, there is even a way for motorcycles to ply through.

Many are wondering why the state government can’t offer such initiative having created a BRT lane.

Many have even foresee having increase in crime rate. They believed that many that have been stopped from okada business or have their bikes confiscated could resort into crime.

It is also an avenue for many to be robbed while walking from their bus stop to their home as there no bikes to take them from there.

There have been many daylight robberies on the road even without okada. Now that there is going to be okada ban which could be total soon across, the state, many will be looking forward to how the state government will tackle these challenges.

We all wish to have a safe and sound sleep in our respective homes. But an idle is the devil’s workshop.

As we look forward to an electioneering year, we all need to be vigilant as we adapt to life without okada.

This means we have all embarked on a must daily exercise routine as some will have to walk some kilometers to get home from their respective bus stops.