Okada Riders Appeal to Lagos Government, while CP Warns Against Proposed Protest

Riders have pleaded to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to have compassion on them as the absolute ban on commercial motorcycles, commonly known as Okadas, is enforced in six local government areas in Lagos State and nine local council development areas (LCDAs) under them.

While they agreed with the restriction on highways, they begged with the governor to allow them to continue doing business on the streets of the state's neighbourhoods.

Many operators have already gone Lagos, according to INFOGONG, while others have relocated to places where their operations are not prohibited.

Musa Haruna Gazama, the leader of the Arewa Okada Riders in Lagos, told Daily Trust in a telephone interview that some of the riders had already fled the state, while others had relocated to neighbouring LGAs.

Ibrahim Musa, one of the riders that ply the Adeniyi Jones axis in Ikeja, begged with the government for leniency on behalf of his comrades.

"I know there are bad apples among Okada riders, but we at Adeniyi Jones are peaceful and execute our business in a systematic manner." "We don't steal or fight." I'm from Jigawa State, and I've been riding Okada for more than five years. I also serve as a courier for travellers who are familiar with me. "Okada riding is my only source of income; I collect money from it and send it to my family in Jigawa to help them," he explained.

Abiodun Alabi, the Lagos Commissioner of Police, has warned to deal mercilessly with anyone or a group of people who wish to protest the state's prohibition on commercial motorbike activities, better known as Okada.

After an emergency security meeting, he issued the warning.

The word of a planned protest by some riders in the state on June 1 has been all over social media.

Following the assassination of a sound engineer by Okada riders in Lekki, the state government restricted the operation of Okada in six local governments and nine local council development areas under their jurisdiction.

To prevent a breakdown of law and order, Alabi said security operatives and measures had been deployed in crucial locations around the state.

"In addition, all area commanders, divisional police officers, and tactical commanders have been placed on high alert in case of an emergency," he said.

Before, during, and after the protest, the CP urged all citizens of Lagos State to go about their legitimate business without fear of harassment or intimidation, guaranteeing that the command would be completely on top of the issue.