In a decisive move to enforce the ban on commercial motorcycles, commonly known as okada, on major highways, the Commissioner for Transportation in Lagos, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, and the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Wale Musa, oversaw the destruction of 1,500 seized motorcycles at the Lagos State Task Force premises in Oshodi on Monday.
The Lagos State Government shared images of the operation on its official social media account, captioned, “Commissioner for #lagosMOT1, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, with the Permanent Secretary, Wale Musa, at the crushing of 1,500 seized commercial motorcycles at the Lagos State Task Force premises on Monday.”
This action comes in the wake of the government’s intensified efforts to curb the resurgence of okada operations on the roads despite the existing ban. The ban on commercial motorcycles on major highways was previously implemented to enhance road safety and regulate transportation in the state.
The Director of Public Affairs for the Lagos State Task Force, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, explained that enforcement had faced challenges due to the proximity of Lagos to Ogun State. He noted that some okada riders were using the neighboring state as a refuge, making it difficult for authorities to apprehend them.
Despite ongoing difficulties, the Lagos State Government remains committed to maintaining the ban and ensuring the safety and orderliness of the state’s transportation system. The destruction of the seized motorcycles serves as a visible demonstration of the government’s determination to enforce existing regulations and uphold public safety.