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Lekki Residents Protest Against ‘Okada’ Riders, Pledge To Support Sanwo-Olu

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3 years ago

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Residents of Lekki Peninsula, Phase 1, Lagos State, have taken to the streets to protest against the activities of commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada, in their area.
The concerned residents under the aegis of the Lekki Peninsula Phase One Residents’ Association (LERA) staged a peaceful protest within their Estate, appealing to the state governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to ensure that the ban placed on the activities of motorcycle riders in some parts of the state is efficient.
AN24 reported on Wednesday that Governor Sanwo-Olu put an end to activities of commercial motorcycles on all highways across six local government areas and nine Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) of the state effective from June 1.
The affected councils are Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Surulere, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland and Apapa.
Speaking on the menace of motorcycles in Lekki and its environs, the protesters said they could no longer sleep with their two eyes closed as a result of fear and insecurity arising from uncontrolled operations of ‘okada’ which they described as “animalistic and senseless”.
The protesters occupied the inner roads of the estate with a banner and placards with different inscriptions to express their anger.
The protesters also observed a minute of silence for the late sound engineer identified as David Imoh, who was reportedly killed by a group of motorcycle riders in Lekki recently due to a misunderstanding over N100 balance.
Speaking during the protest, the chairman of the association, Lekki Peninsula Phase One Residents’ Association (LERA), Yomi Idowu, charged all residents to ensure all hands are on deck to bring the implementation of the ban on commercial motorcycles to fruition.
“We support the government in the ban of okada by Governor Sanwo-Olu and we are insisting that they enforce it as well. For a long time, they have been here and they have been causing problems. Remember that it was Governor (Babatunde) Fashola that first banned okada; that should tell you how long they have been in our estate.
“If you ban something and you don’t enforce it, it cannot work. This time around, we will do our part as citizens to ensure that the ban is effected. Enough is Enough.”
He urged all dwellers of the estate to desist from hiring Hausas as security men, saying, “We don’t want to see motorcycle riders in our vicinity. And we urge you to stop hiring these Hausas as security men in your estates and residents.”
He noted that the security situation of Lekki has deteriorated, saying there is an urgent need for a collective stance to avert a total exposure to imminent security threats to the lives and assets of residents.
On his part, the President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Michael Olawole Cole, who is also a resident of Lekki, said the ban on commercial motorcycles was long overdue.
“When you think about the crimes and evil these bike men have perpetrated in the state, you will realise that the ban is long overdue,” he bemoaned.
While noting that motorcycles have been banned in some states, hence, the riders trooped into Lagos, he appealed to the Chairman of LERA to see to the execution of the ban on motorcycles.
A resident, who identified himself as Ambassador Charles Kelvin, lamented that the level of insecurity in Lekki due to activities of okada riders is alarming.
Kelvin said he had on several occasions experienced a first-hand “terror” of some riders who teamed up against a female resident at a time and another time, tried to beat up a resident.
“We need to do what needs to be done to reduce the risk that they pose. We have situations where people’s belongings are snatched within the estate using okada. People who jog in the morning don’t feel safe anymore,” he said.
He also urged the government to provide alternative means with its “stronger influence.”
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