Police to Lagos ‘okada’ riders: Get registered within three days or risk arrest

Imohimi Edgal, commissioner of police in Lagos state,  has given commercial motorcyclists in the state three days to register with any of the two relevant associations or risk arrest.

Edgal gave the directive on Saturday during an emergency meeting with the leadership of the commercial motorcycle operators as part of measures to ensure that they are well coordinated to promote security.

He said the two recognised associations are National Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association and Motorcycle Operators Association of Lagos state.

The police commissioner said the registration was necessary for proper identification.

“If you want to be a commercial motorcycle operator in Lagos state, you must belong to either NNAMORAL or MOALS,” he said.

“All commercial motorcycle operators are given three days to get registered; anyone found wanting will be arrested.

“The operators must wear their reflective vests designed by the unions with their names and numbers.

“Members of the public are advised not to patronise any commercial motorcyclist without the vest, as his or her safety cannot be guaranteed.”

He said the police would not relent in enforcing Lagos traffic laws.

“There are roads okada riders must not ply. They must carry one person at a time,” he said.

“The vests are numbered. There are emergency numbers to call in case a passenger has a problem with any commercial motorcycle operator.

“We all want Lagos to be a mega city, but this cannot be achieved when we have commercial motorcycle operators without helmets, taking one way and BRT lanes.

“In enforcing traffic laws, community policing is the way out, as I don’t intend to enforce these laws without you.’’

Edgal directed that the two motorcycle transport unions should have a database for commercial motorcycle operators in the state.

He said increasing rate of accidents involving commercial motorcyclists made it necessary for their operations to be strictly monitored.

“When you go to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, and see cases, you will see that there is the need to monitor commercial motorcyclists’ operations,” he said.