Etim Effiong
Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Enforcement Agency (Taskforce) led by SP. Shola Jejeloye, on Monday, impounded 130 commercial motorcycles, popularly known as ‘Okada’ and some motorists for flouting traffic regulations.
The 80-man led taskforce operated at Iyana- Ipaja, Fagba Road, Isolo, Ojota, and Oba Akran Road, where they impounded 130 commercial motorcycles, which operated on highways and in other restricted areas.
They also arrested five motorists, who flouted the state’s traffic regulations, including driving against the traffic and obstruction.
In the early morning enforcement at Iyana Ipaja, the state’s taskforce rounded up many Okada riders illegally operating on routes, which Lagos State Government had designated as restricted areas for commercial motorcycles.
To effect further arrest, the enforcement team moved to Abule Egba, where drivers and motorists driving against traffic, caused nuisance on the highways, where offenders were also calmly ordered to come down from the vehicles before they were confiscated by the Anti-One Way Squad.
An official statement noted that none of the motorcyclists and their passengers were injured in the operation, which lasted several hours.
According to Jejeloye, the taskforce would sustain the operations all round the Yuletide periods to limit the incidents of robbers using motorcycles to carry out their nefarious activities and give Lagosians opportunity to move freely during the festive season.
He expressed further that the enforcement team was also out to protect law-abiding citizens of the State against dangerous driving and preventable accidents caused by disobedience to Lagos traffic laws.
Jejeloye said: “From today, we are redirecting our enforcement towards ensuring hitch-free Yuletide for all law-abiding residents of Lagos.
“This is a period when people are usually in a rush, especially impatient motorists who break the traffic regulations without regard for the lives of other road users.
“We also have Okada riders taking the advantage to ply restricted routes. We are fully read and equipped to tackle these offenders.
“This State-wide operation will be dawn to dusk from today (Monday) till the end of festive season.
“We are not out to destroy anybody’s means of livelihood, and Okada riders operating in approved areas need not to fear.
“We will not relent on our resolve to restore orderliness back on our roads and reduce the incidents of criminals using motorcycles to rob people on the highways.”