The Lagos State government on Thursday broadened the ban on the operation of commercial motorcycles commonly called ‘Okada’ to four more local councils and six Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that Frederic Oladeinde, the Commissioner for Transport, who announced this today (Thursday) said it was after an evaluation of the earlier ban on commercial motorcycles operation in six local councils.
The latest affected councils include: Kosofe, Ikosi-Isheri, Oshodi-Isolo, Mushin, including the respective LCDAs in the areas.
Recall that in June, okada riders in Lagos were met with tear gas and gunfire as they protested against a government seizure of their vehicles that had allegedly broken a ban.
The government banned the transport means again on 1 June from the Apapa, Eti Osa, Ikeja, Lagos Island, Surulere, and Lagos Mainland local government areas. The state government continues to crack down on this mode of transportation, which is perceived as extremely unsafe for passengers.
In the last two months, the government has crushed over 2,500 impounded okadas that it said flouted its ban.