Commercial cyclists popularly known as okada on Monday marched
through some major streets in Lagos, protesting the state government’s
fresh clampdown and seizure of their bikes.
The protests spread across the metropolis, as the okada riders pounced on policemen.
Reports said the cyclists grounded vehicular movement in some parts
of Lagos and attacked government-owned Bus Rapid Transit buses.
They reportedly vandalised five BRT buses at Onipanu and chased passengers away.
Many residents were forced to trek long distances on foot, as a result of the protests.
The state government renewed its clampdown on the okada riders on
Thursday, with its task force on environmental offences and other
offences seizing many bikes.
When contacted, the Chairman of the Motorcycle Owners and Riders in
Lagos State, Tijani Perkis, stated that the union would meet with
Governor Babatunde Fashola to relax the order banning okada from
operating on about 500 roads in Lagos State.
“I have nothing to say now. But I will be meeting with the governor
tomorrow and after our meeting I may talk to the press,” he said.
Recently, the state government’s task force on environmental
sanitation and special offences destroyed over 3,000 bikes, a move that
was criticised in some quarters as a high-handed response to the
challenge posed by the riders.
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