In Lagos, police confiscate 85 motorcycles

No less than 85 motorcycles, popularly referred to as okadas, were seized by members of the Lagos State Police Command’s Rapid Response Squad on Thursday in various parts of the state.

This was revealed by the RRS in a statement on Friday, along with the information that CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, the RRS Commander, oversaw the operation.

During the raid, the squad was also assisted by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority’s enforcement unit.

The statement read, “Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad supported by their counterparts from LAMATA Enforcement Team, yesterday, impounded 85 motorcycles in continuation of the clamp down on motorbikes plying prohibited routes in the state.

“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, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi.

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

“The state Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade, has assured all that the exercise would be sustained until there is compliance.”

In a similar vein, PUNCH Online notes that the Lagos State Task Force cracked down on squatters and commercial bikers on Wednesday who had set up shanties along the train tracks in the state’s Fagba region.

The organization stated that during the follow-up operation following the start of the Red Line Rail project, 359 bikes were seized and many shantytowns were destroyed.

In order to ensure safety on major routes, the state government outlawed the operation of commercial motorbikes. According to sources, Task Force Chairman CSP Shola Jejeloye has increased the execution of this restriction throughout the city of Lagos.