Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, has warned uniform personnel against operating commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, on highways and other restricted routes across the State.
Akerele gave the warning during an ongoing clean-up enforcement operation aimed at ridding Lagos of commercial motorcycles operating on prohibited routes.
Addressing uniformed personnel who visited his office to appeal for the release of impounded motorcycles seized during enforcement, the Taskforce chairman urged them to comply with extant traffic and environmental laws or risk prosecution.
“I am not wicked, but I am also not weak, and I do not want to be perceived as a weak leader,” he said.
He noted that it sends a wrong signal when security personnel, who are expected to enforce the law, are found violating it.
“As security operatives, we understand the need for you to get to your duty posts on time. However, whatever means you adopt to get there must fall within the ambit of the law. If you are properly dressed in your official uniform and not carrying passengers, your colleagues may exercise discretion to avoid arrest,” he said.
He urged them to adhere to professional standards and refrain from engaging in activities capable of tarnishing the image of their respective agencies.
“It is embarrassing to the State and the nation to see military, paramilitary, and police personnel using uniforms worn by distinguished veterans as immunity to evade arrest by operating commercial motorcycles, especially when they are expected to be combating criminal activities within their jurisdictions,” he added.
The Taskforce, however, said it has intensified its clean-up enforcement operations across the State.
Areas visited during the latest operation include Ikoyi, Abraham Adesanya Junction, Ogombo, Coastal Road, Ajah, Falomo, and Marina, where some Okada operators were allegedly found violating traffic regulations and constituting a nuisance on highways and newly constructed coastal roads.
The agency said a total of 124 motorcycles were confiscated between January 31 and the time of filing this report.
It added that all confiscated motorcycles would be forfeited to the state government through the courts in line with the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018.