Okada ban: Police Set for Show of Force as Riders Threaten Violence

Okada ban: Police Set for Show of Force as Riders Threaten Violence

… deploy 600 anti-Okada enforcement squad

To send a note of warning on its readiness to enforce the recent ban of activities of commercial motorcycle operators popularly called okada , the Lagos State Police Command embarked on a show of force with other security agencies comprising Navy, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Lagos Safety Neighbourhood Corps and Federal Road Safety Corps, yesterday.

THECONSCIENCENG gathered that the joint operational procession started from the Command headquarters, Ikeja, to Maryland, Surulere, Itire, Ikate, Orile Iganmu and Lekki areas of the state.

During the exercise, officials of the Ministry of Information distributed fliers to residents on the ban. They also had a sensitisation campaign with Okada riders in the three major Nigerian dialects, apparently to pass the message better to them. They urged the riders to obey the Lagos State Government’s directive on the ban.

In an interview with journalists at the end of the Show of Force, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, Ahmad Kontagora, explained that “the show of force is a clear signal to those who are not ready to stand by the law of the state. We will not take it lightly with those who are criminals among them. We are proactive and battle-ready to enforce the law and it would be a reality because Lagos State is not the only state where Okadas were banned and Lagos will not be exceptional. It has taken place in other states, we are going to fight it until we succeed.

“Law-abiding citizens should go about their lawful business without fear and they should be rest assured that they can sleep with their two eyes closed. We won’t allow the criminally minded among the riders to rest until we achieve our aims.

“We will not humiliate or torture anyone arrested. Rather, they will face their charges at the court of law.”

Earlier, the Lagos State Police Command, Abiodun Alabi, assured Lagosians of adequate protection of lives and property as the enforcement commences. He also dispelled rumours of likely breakdown of law and order in the wake of enforcement on Okada ban.