The Osun State Police Command, yesterday, banned commercial motorcyclists, also known as okada riders from covering their faces with hoods and facemasks during operations in the state.

The ban followed complaints of increasing robbery, sexual assault and other criminal activities allegedly carried out by the operators.

Spokesperson for the Command, Yemisi Opalola, advised members of the public to desist from boarding motorcyclists who wear hoods, nose masks or face masks, saying they hide under such materials to commit crime.

Opalola said the police would arrest and prosecute anyone found wanting in this regard.

She noted that crimes were always committed at night and that the culprits escape after the acts, because victims could not see their faces.

According to her, the force received several complaints of robbery and sexual assault from passengers in recent time, hence the warning against wearing of facemasks and hoods.

She said: “The Osun State Police Command is using this medium to warn motorcyclists, who use hood/facemasks to cover their heads, faces and nosemasks, especially commercial motorcyclists popularly known as okada, while riding their motorcycles to stop forthwith.

“The Command enjoined the leadership of Okada Riders Association in the state to warn their members against covering their heads and faces in any form while riding their motorcycles, as the Command has mapped out strategies to arrest and prosecute anyone found wanting in this regard.

“Similarly, members of the public are advised not to board or engage the services of any commercial motorcyclist with hood/facemask while riding their motorcycles.”