Lagos Playing Politics with ‘Okada’ Riders

                                         POLITICAL NOTES

A policeman was last week killed at Cele Bus Stop along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Lagos during a confrontation with commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as ‘Okada’ riders. The irate Okada riders also reportedly carted away three rifles allegedly seized from police operatives.

Shortly after the officer was murdered, the Okada riders, numbering about 100, ran towards the Mile 2 end. They were seen brandishing cutlasses, daggers, big sticks and other weapons, and charging at passersby and motorists.

Many took to their heels to avoid being attacked by the weapon-wielding motorcyclists.

The police reinforced to combat the rioters, who were chased towards Mile 2 in about six vehicles.

This death and many previous ones could be avoided if the Lagos State government stops playing politics with the operations of these commercial motorcycle operators.

The state government had in the build-up to the general election turned a deaf ear to the activities of Okada riders in the city, thereby allowing them to run riot all because of the anticipated votes from these operators who posed as a threat to both the people and the law enforcement agencies.

 But after the elections, the state government last week said their ban in 10 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 15 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the metropolis was still in force.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, said both the riders and passengers are liable to three years in prison if found guilty, with their motorcycles impounded and crushed.

Last week’s incident was not the first or second time Okada riders killed policemen in Lagos.

Now that they have killed another policeman, will the state government stop playing politics with them and do the needful?

To convince Lagosians that it is committed to their safety, the state government should enforce its own laws. Many state governments have since banned Okada in their states, especially the capitals. The lack of seriousness of the state government has emboldened all manner of persons from the other states where okada had been banned, including the neighbouring countries, to flood the state with motorcycles. To many residents, the influx of dare-devil commercial motorcyclists has eroded the city’s claim to megacity status.