Spurred by the ban of commercial motorcyclists in Ikeja, Surulere, Eti-Osa, Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island and Apapa local councils by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, residents of Lekki, yesterday, called for permanent ban of the operatives in their community.
The residents, under the auspices of Lekki Peninsula Phase One Residents Association (LERA), said the call was due to numerous cases of security breaches and menace in the area.
They sought support from the governor to begin a clamp down on Okada riders to enhance effective cooperation.
LERA also called on the Ministry of Physical Planning and NTDA to carry out raids on incomplete buildings to flush out hoodlums and miscreants in the community.
Speaking at a press conference to sensitise residents and on the ban, Chairman of LERA, Yomi Idowu, said the decision, followed recent, dastardly, animalistic and senseless murder, which took place in the neighbourhood.
“Intelligence reports reaching us is that, following the raid on Okada riders and subsequent seizure of ‘Okadas’ in Lekki Phase One, the riders believe the action was instigated by Lekki residents, who are determined to take away their source of livelihood.
“In retaliation, there are plans by these ‘Okada riders’ to invade our inner street, and cause havoc in the immediate future,” he said.
He stressed that the menace of Okada riders in Lekki Phase One area has become worrisome and the association had written several letters to the Lagos State Government, seeking for support to ban Okada operation in the area. Idowu said the call became necessary following numerous incidence of security breaches, including bloody armed robbery attacks, kidnappings, assassinations and ritual killings, to name a few, but to no avail.
He added that this is not the first time residents have been terrorised by motorcycle riders in Lekki Phase One.
“ Indeed, Okada has been an environmental nuisance all season and almost every resident has had a fair share of sheer recklessness of its riders as thousands of motorcycles are still in the hands of criminals who use them as the easiest means of meandering their way from security operatives while carrying out their activities.”
“It is an obvious fact that security within Lekki Phase One has deteriorated alarmingly,” he said.
“It’s imperative that we all take a collective stance and formulate joint initiatives to avert a total exposure to imminent security threats to the lives and assets of our residents.
“If you recall, the Lagos State Government had called for the ban of ‘Okada riders’ two years ago, but to our chagrin, this was not properly enforced and soon enough, the menace returned.
“This time LERA will take every step to ensure the law banning ‘Okada’ from our roads by the Lagos State Government, is fully respected and strictly adhered to by all residents and the general populace at large,” Idowu added.
Idowu urther commended Sanwo-Olu for throwing full his weight towards protecting life and property of residents of Lagos State by re-imposing the ban on Okada in some Local Governments of the state (Ikeja, Surulere, Eto-OSa, Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island and Apapa), which will take effect from June 1.
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