Two leaders of the Hausa community in Lagos State have warned their constituents against engaging in any form of protest against the ban of commercial motorcycles popularly known as Okada in six local government areas.
On Thursday evening, our correspondent conducted separate interviews with each leader.
In a telephone interview, one of the leaders, Iliyasu Kira, stated that no member could protest.
According to Kira, the Seriki of Shasha in the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos, the government’s decision will clean the system.
He stated, “Our people are complaining about the ban because it will affect them, but we are calming them down.” We will not permit protests because the government is superior and no one should oppose the government.
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“There are bad eggs and good eggs among Okada riders, but the bad eggs have tainted the good eggs by disobeying traffic laws, riding Okadas in the middle of the night, using one-way streets, carrying dangerous weapons, etc. We can only continue to request that the government reconsider its decision.”
When asked if the association of Seriki Hausawa in Lagos has met since the government’s recent ban on Okada, Kira stated that they have not met to discuss the issue.
Also, while conversing with his subjects, the Seriki Hausa ruler of Ajah, Ibrahim Ngoma, stated that no protests would be permitted in the state.
Even though the affected area where the task force was operating today falls outside of his jurisdiction, he stated that no protests would be permitted.
Ngoma stated, “Right now, nobody is complaining because the law has not yet gone into effect in June. The law of Lagos State prohibits us from protesting, and we will comply. That is not permissible.”
The leaders urged Governor Babade Sanwo-Olu to reconsider the ban because many Okada riders from the northern region of the country make up a significant portion of the voting population in Lagos.
The Iyana Iba, Alaba, Agric, and Barracks ends of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway reportedly descended into chaos on Thursday as policemen and motorcycle riders clashed.
According to reports, the conflict began after members of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offenses Enforcement Unit (Task Force) and the Rapid Response Squad visited the area to enforce state traffic law.
According to reports, the agents confiscated motorcycles along the expressway and issued eviction notices to Alaba Rago Market tenants.
Some of the motorcyclists, however, resisted the seizure of their motorcycles, resulting in an altercation between them and the security agents.
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Benjamin Hundeyin, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, stated that over 200 motorcycles were impounded during the raid.
The Motorcycle Operators Association of Lagos State declined to comment.
