The Lagos State Government has officially inaugurated Anti-Okada Squad, to enforce the Executive order on activities of commercial motorcyclists, popularly called “Okada ” riders across six Local Government Areas and nine Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs, of the state.

At least 600 recruited members of the squad for the take-off of the enforcement attended the orientation exercise at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, organized by the state Ministry of Transportation.

In line with the Transport Sector Reform Law (TSRL), 2018, the Squad, will join the Police to enforce the ban in all affected areas and on all highways, major roads and bridges in the state.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, said the Special Anti-Okada Squad will be reporting to the Police.

Oladeinde, stressed that the aim for the setting up of the squad is to ensure effective enforcement of the order on the ban.

While urging the citizenry to collaborate with the state government to combat the Okada menace, the commissioner stressed that it is the responsibility of the public to report any nefarious activities of the squad to the Ministry of Transportation or through the following help/complaint lines: 09038208154, 09034810153, 09033090826 and 09169655855.

Oladeinde added that such reports will help the government generate feedback on strategies for the protection of lives and property.

He therefore, warned that individuals arrested (riders and passengers) will be made to face the full wrath of the law in line with the provision of Section 46, sub-section 1, 2 and 3 of the TSRL, 2018.

Oladeinde reiterated that motorcycles impounded will be crushed in the public glare.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Kamar Olowoshago, also urged the Anti-Okada personnel to be diligent and honest in the discharge of their duties.

Also at the inauguration was the Commissioner for Housing, Fatai Akinderu, who later presented completion of training certificates to the squad.

Supporting the initiative, Mr. Kehinde Agoro, Secretary to Surulere Local Government, La­gos State, said that the council would set up a task force for the implementation of commercial motorcycles ban in the council area.

Agoro said the council boss would inaugurate the task force, adding that chairman had met with okada riders’ association on a new development and to map out other routes to ease movement.

He, however, praised the Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide San­wo-Olu, over the bold step taken on okada ban.

“The chairman would set up a task force to ensure effective im­plementation of the law in Surul­ere and environs. We are seeing a lot of the okada riders relocating to other areas, while the ban would affect the internally generated rev­enue (IGR) of the council, but we will look inwards to other areas to generate revenue,” he said.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin narrated how policemen were, Friday night, attacked in Ikorodu.

The spokesman said the personnel were fought by hoodlums and riders who tried to stop them.

Hundeyin noted that the raid was carried out after numerous reports about motorcyclists operating at night.

“We reviewed our strategy and stormed Ikorodu last night (existing ban on all highways.

“The riders and hoodlums attacked the Police. We activated our standby backup. 50 arrested, 14 motorcycles impounded.”

The PRO further disclosed that the next action would be the crushing of the seized bikes.