Okada robbers return to highways

The gradual return of commercial motorcyclists, popularly called Okada to major streets of Lagos State, including expressways, where they were barred from plying a couple of years back, appears to come with its downside.

This is as criminal activities, including phone and bag snatching, as well as, armed robbery is on the rise.

Some road users, who spoke to The Guardian, said the hoodlums operate in the early hours of the day, where they torment those that venture out early for their businesses, and those returning home from night engagements, including work.

The respondents also pointed out that women formed the bulk of the victims of these robbers because they are perceived as soft targets.

The Guardian’s investigation reveals that these bandits, who always carry out discreet survey of the stretch of the road before they strike, are more often than not, armed. The rider and his accomplice, apart from being armed with guns, and other dangerous weapons, also carry sharp scissors with which they briskly cut off the straps of their victims’ bags, and zoom off even before an alarm is raised.

Areas like Surulere, Anthony Village, Apapa, Ikeja, Isolo and Mafoluku, have continually witnessed the menace of these daredevil robbers.

Paulina Mathew, a victim of Okada robbers narrated how two men on a motorcycle accosted her early in the morning as she headed for the market, and dispossessed her of her handbag and cash.

Mathew said: “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 the social menace, which they constitute, they are also highly involved in criminal activities; they engage in armed robbery and bag snatching.”

Another victim, Oluwakemi Bamidele, said she was robbed as she returned from work. “Now, 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 ugly encounter.”

Mrs. Blessing Dike, a resident of Isolo area, is of the view that if commercial motorcyclists are not banned outright, their activities must be seriously scrutinised by security agencies, as they have sent so many to their early graves.

“If they cannot be banned, government needs to employ drastic measures to ensure that their excesses are curbed. Many people have been shot dead by criminals operating under the guise of commercial motorcyclists.”

Mr. Aloysius Nwoke, a resident of Ijesha, has a contrary opinion. In his view, even though some unscrupulous commercial motorcyclists increasingly constitute a menace in the society, the genuine ones are still very useful in the society.

He, however, wants government to fish out criminal elements among them for appropriate sanctions.

“Commercial motorcyclists assist so many people to beat heavy traffic congestion, as they help to convey people to their destinations faster, especially where there is traffic lockdown. And for many who do not have cars and cannot afford the luxury of taxi cabs, motorcyclists and tri-cyclists are their best alternatives. But if the government must ban motorcyclists, then they should fix the roads.”

A businesswoman at Apapa, Mrs. Monica Olaniyi, who fell to these men of the underworld, who were disguised as commercial motorcyclists, said after withdrawing a huge amount of money from a commercial bank, she was ambushed, and her bag containing the cash snatched.

“The robbers simply rode close to the bike that I mounted and within a twinkle of an eye, used a long, sharp pair of scissors and slashed the handle of my handbag and sped off immediately.”

Another victim, Jide Kayode, was robbed at Toyota Bus Stop, at about 8:00 pm, at gunpoint.

Kayode said: “As I stood just by the gate, I noticed two men on a bike drove past and went up to Five Stars Bus Stop before heading back to where I stood. On alighting, they ordered me to handover all my valuables to them. They collected my N5, 000 and mobile handsets and zoomed off immediately. They had a gun.

“Policemen stationed a few metres away from where I stood, were completely unaware of what was going on. By the time I drew their attention to what had happened, the robbers were far gone.”

A female staffer, who preferred anonymity, said she was robbed in the early hours of Sunday, August 14, 2016 as she headed home from work.

She recalled: “As I made to cross the expressway to board a bus, six young men on two motorcycles suddenly accosted me pointing guns and threatening to waste my life if I refuse to hand over my belongings to them. I did not have any option than to comply. So, I handed over my handbag, which had my mobile phones, cash. I had to return to the office to get financial assistance to transport myself home because they also took away my automated teller machine (ATM) card.

Apart from those they rob on expressways and sundry roads, these armed Okada robbers also swoop on revelers in social joints, where they gather to have fun.

Isah Ayeni, a taxi cab operator, who fell victim said the experience was horrible.

Ayeni said: “I had barely settled down to gulp my first glass of beer when I saw two young people, who just descended from a two standby motor bike roaring that everybody should lie down and we all obeyed. This happened about 7.30pm, at a drinking joint, in the Mafoluku area of Lagos. The boys ended up collecting all our mobile handsets and money, and even went into the beer parlor, collected all the proceeds from the day’s sales after which they zoomed off, before even policemen could arrive.