The Police in Lagos say they have impounded no fewer than 4, 694 commercial motorcycles aka Okada from recalcitrant riders between June 1 and September 9, 2022.
The Police spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this in Lagos on Thursday.
The government had banned the operation of commercial motorcyclists in six local government areas of Eti Osa, Ikeja, Surulere, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland and Apapa.
It later extended the ban to four more LGAs consisting of Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Shomolu, and Mushin, on August 18, despite the protest.
Hundeyin said in June 2022, 1,885 motorcycles were impounded for contravening the ban. A decline was recorded in July with 1,501 motorcycles impounded while August and September saw the impounding of 1,029 and 279 motorcycles respectively.
However, of the 1,709 persons arrested for contravening traffic laws, and committing other offences in the state, 131 suspects were screened out while a total of 1,578 were charged to court, leading to the conviction of 1,490.
Out of the 1,578 suspects prosecuted, eight had their cases struck out, 11 were discharged while 69 were still awaiting trial.
The statistics also confirmed the seizure of 26 tricycles from tricycle operators who, among other offences, contravened the traffic laws in the State.
Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, said the enforcement of the ban on commercial motorcycles in some local governments in the State would be continuous in order to restore sanity to the affected areas.