Ban on Okada, Tricycles: Police Arrest 24 Suspects For Blocking Lagos Roads

The Police from Ijora Badia, Area B Command, on Monday, arrested 24 suspects for blocking major roads in Ijora, Lagos following the recent ban of motorcycle (Okada) and tricycle (Keke) by the State Government.

The Lagos Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bala Elkana, in a statement said the suspects caused major obstructions on the roads, burning tyres, looting and stealing from unsuspecting road users.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the effect of the ban of Okada and Keke, in Lagos State took effect on Feb. 1.

Elkana said that the suspects came out in large numbers, armed with cutlasses around Ijora Oloye, Amusu, Ijora 7up, Ijora under bridge, Sifa junction and Gaskiya gangare area, all within Ijora Badia Division.

“Police Officers from Ijora Badia, Area B Command and Special Strike Force on Social Miscreants, were promptly deployed to the scenes.

“The situation was brought under control. The obstructions were cleared for free flow of traffic.

“No life was lost. 24 suspects were arrested. Investigation is ongoing and the suspects will be charged to Court,” he said.

Commuters in Lagos, Monday groan as commercial motorcyclists (Okada) and tricycle operators (Keke Marwa) clashed with the Police while protesting and resisting the ban on their operations by the Lagos State Government.

The Lagos State Government had last week announced the enforcement of the ban on the operations of Okada and Keke Marwa riders in 15 local government areas and local council development areas.

There was a serious clash and shooting at Ijora Olopa, with the police exchanging bullets with Okada and Keke Marwa riders.

The riders set up bonfires on the roads, making use of used tyres and rendered roads impassable.
Private cars, commercial vehicles and commuters ran helter-skelter

Areas boys or miscreants capitalised on the confusion to hijack the protest by the Okada riders

-NAN