The Lagos State Police Command yesterday disclosed that both commercial motorcycle operators (a.k.a okada) and their passengers would be arrested and prosecuted if they violated the directive of the state banning their operations.
The command revealed the plan in a tweet by its Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin in line with the directive of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Hundeyin said: “Under the new total ban of motorcycles in six local government areas of Lagos State, passengers and riders alike will be arrested and prosecuted.
“The passenger is an accomplice. Ignorance will not be an excuse!” he tweeted.
Sanwo-Olu had declared a total ban on the operations of commercial motorcycles popularly called Okada, in six Local Governments.
The six local governments listed by the governor are Ikeja, Surulere, Eti-Osa, Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island, and Apapa.
The governor said the fresh Okada ban followed the February 2020 restriction placed on the activities of commercial motorcycles.
Sanwo-Olu said the government took the decision in line with the State’s Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018 to immediately address the chaos and menace created by the operations of Okada in the listed areas.