Police Intensify Crackdown On Motorcycles Plying Areas In Lagos

Commercial motorcycles have been restricted from Lagos highways for years.
Despite the ban, some motorcycle riders have flouted the ban.
The disregard of the law has forced the Lagos government to clamp down on offenders.

Eko Hot Blog reports that operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) supported by their counterparts from LAMATA Enforcement Team, have impounded 85 motorcycles in restricted areas of state.

The Lagos RRS disclosed the development in a statement post on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Friday.

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The impoundment of the motorcycles, which occurred on Thursday, is a continuation of the clampdown on motorbikes plying prohibited routes in the state.

According to the RRS, the areas visited by the team include: Ojodu Berger, Aguda (Ikeja), Iju Road, Agege, Iyana Ipaja Bridge, Abule Egba and Ogba.

The operation was led by the Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi.

In a similar operation two weeks ago, the team led CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi impounded 257 motorcycles.

The Lagos Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade has assured that the exercise would be sustained until there is compliance with Lagos State.

The Lagos State Government has since 2022 banned the operations of commercial motorcycles in Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Somolu, Mushin, Apapa, Ikeja, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Surulere and Eti-Osa local government areas, as well as some local council development areas under them including Ojodu, Onigbongbo, Lagos Island East, Yaba, Coker Aguda, Itire-Ikate, Eti-Osa West, Iru Victoria Island, Ikoyi-Obalende, Ikosi-Isheri, Agboyi-Ketu, Isolo, Ejigbo, Bariga and Odi-Olowo LCDAs.

Last year, Chairman of the Lagos State Environment and Special Offences Enforcement Unit (Task Force), CSP. Shola Jejeloye, warned that the motorcycle ban in highways had not been lifted.

According to Jejeloye, it will no longer be business as usual for violators of the directive who will be arrested and charged to court henceforth.

“The ban on commercial operation of okada on restricted routes and all the States Highways is still very much in place therefore no one who is caught still operating will be spared,” he said.

“We are sounding this note of warning to every okada operator and their passengers who think they are sacred cows that cannot be touched. It will no longer be business as usual.