Okada: Clashes, As Police Arrests, Seizes Motorcycles In Lagos

By Uche Mbah

No fewer than 35 motorcyclists have been arrested and 195 motorcycles seized as the Police enforce the State government’s ban on motorcycle operations in the State.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwolu, had recently announced a total ban on motorcycles on certain designated routes with effect from June 1. But the enforcement is with immediate effect.

The Hausa community in Lagos had pleaded with the Governor not to implement the ban, promising that they will vote en mass for the All Progressives Congress, APC.

At the announcement, there were clashes with security agents at Alaba rago and Lagos Badagry expressway which resulted in the State government clamping down on them.

Addressing Journalists at the Command Headquarters in the Ikeja area of the state on Friday, The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, said the Command had swung into action to prevent migration of cyclists to safer parts of the state. According to him, the ban was expected to be implemented in phases, with measures put in place to forestall any contingencies.

Speaking on the clash along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway Thursday, Alabi said:“During the operation, they (motorcyclists) were accosted when they became violent and mobilized their other colleagues to attack our Police officers.

“When we got this information, we had to mobilise our Tactical and Operational Commanders to reinforce our Policemen on the ground and they (motorcyclists) were subdued. In the course of doing that, we arrested 35 suspects and impounded 195 motorcycles. Normalcy was restored immediately.”

Fielding questions on the effect of the ban on the state, Alabi assured they are on top of the situation.

“On the ban by the State Government that will take effect from June 1 and as to people (motorcyclists) migrating from that side to other areas, all the area commanders and DPOs were there when the government met with us. All of us are aware of the backlash that could happen because of this ban but we are prepared for it.

“Any security challenges that could arise because of this ban in the local government areas, we are ready to contend with it. We have told them to put in place strategic measures on how to confront this holistically. We are envisaging that some people (motorcyclists) will migrate from those areas but this ban is in phases, and we are prepared for that and will confront the challenge if it arises.“