Lagos task force impounds 150 Okada, goes after landgrabbers, other violators
10 suspected BRT corridor violators, Okada passengers arrested, prosecuted
The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Enforcement Agency (Task Force) has arrested recalcitrant Okada operators, land grabbers and environmental law violators who refused to heed the warnings.
The suspects were arrested after a week-long operation carried out by the agency in Ogba, Apapa, Tradefair, Elemoro, Ojodu and others.
Speaking yesterday at the agency headquarters in Bolade, Oshodi, Lagos and its environs, Chairman of the Lagos Taskforce, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Shola Jejeloye, said traces of okada operations had been noticed in the aforementioned areas and other parts of the state despite the ban on their activities, prompting the agency to carry out the necessary mop up exercises in the city.
Jejeloye disclosed that not less than 150 commercial bikes were impounded for willfully operating on restricted routes and flouting traffic rules in some others. According to him, 10 Okada passengers were also apprehended for driving on the restricted Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor and were charged to court, where they were fined N50, 000 or to serve three months in Badagry Correctional Centre.
Jejeloye said: “It has come to our notice through our discreet investigations and also via feedback from members of the public that okada riders have aggressively been returning to streets to operate. It is quite unfortunate because we will ensure that any okada caught operating will be impounded and crushed. Passengers and riders who are also caught will be charged to court as well.”
The Chairman also reiterated that the agency would remain resolute in ensuring that the menace of Okada and infractions in Lagos never resurfaces, as he and his men would carry on with aggressive enforcement exercises to maintain sanity.
“We will work hard to achieve orderliness on Lagos Roads in line with the Traffic Management and Transportation; Health and Environment; Education and Technology (THEME) agenda of the state government and we will make sure we do all it takes to key into a greater Lagos. No amount of aggressiveness or resistance from okada riders can match our determination to create an enabling environment for every law-abiding Lagosian.”
Jejeloye also revealed that the agency had made considerable progress in dislodging land grabbers in the state and vowed to go after any unscrupulous element still involved in the practice.
He stated that the agency provides security backup for other state government agencies in ensuring that developmental programmes and activities aimed at providing succour to the populace are not hindered by criminal elements around.
He urged Lagosians to report any suspicious or criminal activity within their locality to the nearest police station or through the various online media channels of the agency.
Related
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
0 Comments
We will review and take appropriate action.