Lagos Task Force Seizes 668 Okadas In Week-Long Enforcement Drive

The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Task Force) has intensified its clampdown on commercial motorcycles, popularly known as okada, with the confiscation of 668 motorcycles in a week-long enforcement operation across the state. The exercise, which spanned several flashpoints and black spots notorious for okada violations, was part of the government’s continuous efforts to enforce its ban on motorcycles along restricted highways and routes.

CSP Adetayo Akerele, Chairman of the Task Force, made this known in a statement released on Sunday by the unit’s spokesperson, Mr. Abdulraheem Gbadeyan. He emphasized that the operation was necessary to curb rising security and safety concerns linked to okada operations, despite repeated government warnings and sustained awareness campaigns.

The enforcement operation, which commenced on Monday, targeted major flashpoints notorious for okada activities. These included Ishaga, Balogun Bus Stop on Iju-Ishaga Road, Ijegun Roundabout, Iyana-Iba, Iyana-Ishasi, Igbo-Elerin, and Iyana-School. Other hotspots raided by the Task Force were Volkswagen Bus Stop along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway and Kola Bus Stop on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, as well as adjoining restricted routes.

“These areas were carefully identified following numerous complaints and distress calls from members of the public over the activities of okada operators. Many of these operators have been linked to hoodlums, pickpockets, and even suspected robbers, particularly at late hours,” Akerele explained.

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He added that the trend had contributed to a new wave of criminality, with residents and commuters frequently raising alarm over harassment and theft incidents linked to motorcycle operators. The Task Force, he said, had no option but to step up decisive enforcement to safeguard lives and property.

While the exercise recorded significant success, Akerele disclosed that Task Force operatives faced resistance in some locations, particularly at Kola Bus Stop along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway. Hoodlums, in collaboration with some defiant riders, attempted to obstruct the operations by mobilizing against officials.

“They were, however, dispersed with minimal force, and normalcy was restored. Seven suspects were arrested during the operation. Thankfully, no injuries were recorded on either side,” the Task Force chairman confirmed.

He commended the professionalism of his men in handling the situation, stressing that the Task Force would continue to conduct operations in a manner that upholds the law without compromising public safety.

Akerele used the opportunity to once again warn commercial motorcycle operators against defying the state’s ban. He reiterated that okada operations remain strictly prohibited along highways, bridges, and designated routes across Lagos. According to him, the law remains firm, and offenders risk losing both their motorcycles and their freedom if caught violating the ban.

“All motorcycles seized during this operation will be processed through the courts and subsequently crushed in line with existing Lagos State laws,” he stated. “This government remains resolute in its determination to maintain law and order. We urge all defiant okada riders to desist from operating in restricted areas to avoid the consequences.”

The chairman added that the state government’s ban on commercial motorcycles is not arbitrary but rooted in safety, security, and urban management concerns. He stressed that the dangers posed by okada operations, including frequent accidents and their exploitation by criminals, cannot be ignored.

The Lagos State government has consistently argued that okada operations are incompatible with the city’s urban planning goals and pose significant risks to both riders and passengers. The motorcycles are often involved in fatal road crashes and have been linked to various crimes ranging from snatching of valuables to more violent offenses.

According to Akerele, the decision to crush seized motorcycles after due legal processes is intended to deter defiance and discourage illegal operations. He affirmed that the Task Force would continue to maintain its presence across identified hotspots, ensuring that the ban is enforced without compromise.

Public safety, he said, remains the government’s priority. “We are acting in response to the cries of Lagosians who are often victims of okada-related criminality. This operation is a message that the Task Force is alive to its responsibilities and will not relent,” Akerele declared.

The confiscation of 668 motorcycles within a single week reflects the scale of enforcement required to address the persistent challenge of okada operations in restricted areas. It also demonstrates the state’s readiness to continue the campaign until full compliance is achieved.

The Lagos State government has over the years introduced various transportation reforms to provide safer alternatives to okada, including investments in BRT buses, ferries, and last-mile transport schemes. By sustaining enforcement while simultaneously expanding regulated alternatives, the government hopes to gradually eliminate reliance on commercial motorcycles in high-risk zones.