Lagos records 86% drop in crime rate after okada ban

Less than three months after the ban on commercial motorcycle (okada) operation in six local governments and nine local council development areas in Lagos State, the state government says crime and accident rates have reduced by 86 per cent and 63.7 per cent respectively.

Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, disclosed this on Tuesday at a stakeholders’ forum with the theme ‘Okada Ban: What Next?’

The commissioner explained that a total of 7,500 motorcycles had been impounded and crushed since the enforcement of the ban began in June 2022.

Oladeinde said, “Lagosians may recall that on the 18th May 2022, Mr Governor made a pronouncement on the total ban of motorcycle operations in six Local Government (LGs) and the respective nine Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) under them including all major bridges and highways of the State and the subsequent inauguration of the Lagos State Anti-Okada Squad saddled with the responsibility to aid the police and taskforce to implement and enforce total compliance with respect to the law.

“The Anti-Okada Squad was deployed in their respective locations and commenced operation effectively from the 1st June, 2022. The Anti-Okada Squad works in partnership with relevant stakeholders (police, media, unions etc) whose contributions thus far cannot be overemphasized.

“Today, we are delighted to report our position on the review of the anti-okada’s enforcement operation in the last two months plus. It is important to mention that the operation has recorded significant successes and compliance.

“In the affected areas within the period under review, available records show that crime and accident rate reduced astronomically by 86% and 63.7% respectively while a total of 7,500 motorcycles were impounded and crushed accordingly.

“It is no longer news that there is a rise in the level of insecurity as a result of the rampage of banditry and kidnapping across all states of the Federation. The Federal Government, therefore, is presently considering the total ban of motorcycle operations across the Federation as most of these underground activities are been enhanced with the use of motorcycles.

“Also, the attention of the State Government has been drawn to the security threat parading the news across all socio-media platforms that some unscrupulous individuals are planning to attack the State, and the Government is already working round the clock to secure the State and its residence from these non-State actors.

“Hence, spotlight has been on Okada operations within the State as a result of their non-compliance to traffic rules and regulations as well as the fact that it is adjudged the only means of transportation that is used to easily and successfully perpetrate all sort of crimes (i.e robbery, kidnapping, supply of arms, attack etc) due to its manoeuvring nature.

“Having taken into account, the successes made thus far as well as the identified challenges of the Anti Okada Squad, the state government has consequently put strategies in place by engaging all relevant stakeholders across all levels of government to put efforts together with the state government in proffering a sustainable solution to the menace of okada operations in our dear state.”