*The Lagos State Police Command alleges ‘over the years, we’ve observed that the motorcycles we are seeing here now have been part of the instrument they use in committing crime’

*The Niger State Government takes the measure to eradicate activities of criminals and tackle bandits and kidnappers who have continued to attack innocent residents, says SSG

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Against the backdrop of a recent increase in criminal activities being purportedly perpetrated by motorcycle (Okada in local parlance) operators in some states of the Federation, the Lagos State Police Taskforce has crushed over 400 motorcycles earlier seized from defaulting riders across the cosmopolitan state.

It was gathered Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, who witnessed the crushing Saturday, November 20, 2021, stated that the measure would  serve as a deterrent to other operators.

ConsumerConnect reports the authorities’ seizure of the motorcycles has been a penalty for breaking a law that restricts the two-wheel machine from some routes in the state over time.

CP Odumosu said: “Over the years, we’ve observed that the motorcycles we are seeing here now have been part of the instrument they use in committing crime.

“When somebody is to be kidnapped, they (do it) with Okada; when somebody’s bag is snatched at the bus-stop, they do that. With the traffic now, Okadas are being used to commit crime.

“And because of this now, the state government, in its wisdom, decided that Okadas should be restricted in some areas of the state.”

The Lagos Commissioner of Police also noted: “We have started this enforcement for a long time; yet they are still in town, because Rome was not built in a day. But we will not give them breathing space.

“Some people have insinuated that we sell back the Okadas to those we collect them from, thereby recycling it.

“That’s why we decided that let the Doubting Thomases know that we don’t sell Okada.”

The Police Chief added: “The law says they should be crushed once they are impounded. And that’s why we decided to demonstrate this.”

Government bans sale of motorcycles across Niger State

In a related development, the Niger State Government of Nigeria has ordered the immediate ban on the sale of motorcycles across the state.

ConsumerConnect reports Ahmed Matane, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), announced the ban in a statement issued Saturday, in Minna, Niger State capital.

The statement noted Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger State said that the move was sequel to the incessant security challenges in some parts of the state, the demands for motorcycles as ransom by bandits and kidnappers in some Northern state of recent.

Matane explained that the state government announced the additional measure to eradicate the activities of criminals and tackle bandits and kidnappers who have continued to attack innocent residents in the state.

The government, Matane stated, has condemned in strong terms the degree of carnage and pandemonium bandits and kidnappers have caused in some parts of the state and reiterated its continued determination to rid the state of any security threat.

He also said: “Government is aware of the inconveniences the measure would cause the people, but the decision was taken in the overall interest of the state and appeals to the dealers of motorcycles across the state to cooperate with the directive.”

The Niger State Government urged the people of the state to cooperate with the security agencies on the measures put in place to put an end to the activities of criminal elements, saying it was for the benefit of all and sundry.

According to the SSG, the government has also ordered security agencies in the state to ensure effective and strict compliance and enforcement of the ban.

Meanwhile, Matane has reaffirmed that the activities of commercial motorcycle riders, popularly known as Okada or ‘Kabu-Kabu’ in Niger State, as well as the operation of illegal garages, remain banned in Minna metropolis and its environs.

The current ban on sale motorcycles was said to have after the state government restricted the movement of all motorcycles from 6p.m. to 6a.m.