Lagosians lament menace by commercial cyclists

LAGOS residents have decried criminal activities perpetrated by motorcyclists, reeling out stories of handbag and mobile phones snatching. Some of the residents, who spoke with The Guardian, said the hoodlums operate in the wee hours when people set out for the day’s business or at night when they are returning from work. They pointed out that women constitute the bulk of their victims because they are perceived as softer targets.

“Okada riders have assumed the proportion of a serious epidemic in the society. They do not have regard for the law or obey traffic lights. Apart from their social menace, they are also highly involved in criminal activities; they engage in armed robbery and bag snatching.

A woman, Felicia Edward, narrated how two men on a motorcycle accosted her one morning as she went for Mass and dispossessed her of her handbag. Another, Charity Bakare, said she was robbed as she returned from her day’s work with the men making away with her valuables. “I am scared of coming back home at night. Because of that experience, I now leave my workplace as early as 5pm to avoid another encounter,” said Bakare.

Miss Nnadi Blessing, a resident of Adeniran Ogunsanya, wants okada to be banned. According to her, the recklessness of the riders have sent many to their early grave. “If they cannot be banned, government needs to employ drastic measures to ensure their excesses are curbed.”

Mr. Anthony Agoh, a resident of Ijesha, has a contrary view. In his view, even though okada causes some havoc in society, they are yet very useful. “Okada assist so many people to beat heavy traffic congestion, as they help to convey people faster to their destinations. And for many who do not have cars and cannot afford the luxury of a taxi, the okada and Keke NAPEP are their best bet. But if the government must ban okadas, then they should fix the roads.”

Reacting to the incident, however, Chairman, Isolo “C” branch of the Motorcycle Operators Association, Lagos State (MOALS), Mr. Felix Chukwu, said the culprits are not members of his association.

He said: “We know our members. They have identity cards. The cards display the areas and units where each rider belongs. Any rider who does not have an identity card is not our member. We always nab the bad ones and hand them over to the police.”