…Appeals to Ogun State Government to authorize union for tickets collection

The Chairman of National Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association (NACTOMORAS) in Ogun State, Alhaji Yekini Adio, has warned members in the state to be wary of passengers who attempt to lure them with huge fares to unfamiliar locations.

He also appealed to the Ogun State Government to grant NACTOMORAS the authorization to collect tickets and generate revenue for the state as well as extend the same benefits of empowerment to the association like other riders’ unions in the state.

Adio raised the alarm yesterday in Abeokuta, while speaking on security safety of riders and the pattern used by criminals lure commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators especially those with new vehicles to remote destinations with promises of huge fares before attacking and killing them.

He expressed sorrow over the ways some riders endangered their lives out of financial greed and fall into the hands of killers who sometimes disguised as passengers and lured them to isolated locations with promises huge amounts of money before killing them.

The Chairman said that some riders had reportedly fallen victim after accepting such offers, warning his members to be cautious of passengers offering suspicious high fares or those that insist on travelling to secluded areas.

He said ” they( the riders) should not let money enter their eyes, you know somebody that want to hijacked motorcycle or tricycle from them when is new usually lure them with money. They should take care and know where they are carrying passengers is secured and not close to bush along the expressway.”
According to him, riders must prioritise their safety over the prospect of making quick money, especially when the circumstances surrounding a trip appear questionable.

Adio urged commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators to verify passengers and destinations before accepting trips and to alert fellow riders or security agencies whenever they suspect foul play.

The chairman also called on the government and security agencies to strengthen surveillance and security measures across the state, particularly in areas considered vulnerable to attacks on motorcycle riders.

On recognition of the association, Adio said that the union had written several letters to the state government but none yielded a fruitful result, urging Governor Dapo Abiodun to consider the request as a form of empowerment to its riders so that they can enjoy the same benefits as other approved unions.