CurrentReport Blog In a determined effort to enforce traffic regulations, the Lagos State Task Force has seized a total of 220 commercial motorcycles, commonly known as okadas, over the past week. The comprehensive operation spanned key areas of the state, including Victoria Island, Bourdillon, Falomo, Ikeja, Abeokuta Expressway, Ojodu Berger, and Fagba.
The crackdown is part of a broader initiative by the Lagos State government to maintain order and safety on its roads. Okada operators were found violating traffic regulations, prompting their bikes to be confiscated by the police regiment led by CSP Shola Jejeloye, Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force.
Simultaneously, the Task Force conducted an extensive clean-up along Regional Road in Lekki, targeting shanties and makeshift structures. These structures, often erected haphazardly, contribute to environmental degradation and pose safety hazards. The eight-hour operation, also supervised by CSP Jejeloye, aimed to restore the area’s original master plan and facilitate ongoing developmental activities.
Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, Director of Press & Public Affairs of the Task Force, stated that the operation not only targeted traffic violators but also sought to reclaim public spaces from squatters and miscreants. These individuals had converted state-owned properties into personal havens, often leading to increased criminal activities.
CSP Jejeloye emphasized the state government’s commitment to restoring order and fostering development. “It’s no longer news to anyone that there is a concerted effort by the State Government to restore sanity and progression in the State which have been drawn back by the activities of squatters and miscreants who have converted State-owned property to private use,” he remarked.
He also highlighted the need for stricter traffic enforcement, warning okada operators to adhere to regulations or face severe consequences. “Our operations are going to be more intense and thorough to the point that no passenger will be spared once caught on a bike. We will ensure they are prosecuted according to the provisions of the law till other erring riders get the message and desist from such activity,” Jejeloye warned.
The Task Force’s efforts are part of a larger strategy to ensure Lagos remains a safe, serene, and habitable environment for all residents.
By clearing shanties, they aim to eliminate breeding grounds for criminal elements and reduce crime rates. “Shanties are a breeding place for criminal elements who come out at night to rob and destroy; therefore, they have no place in a Metropolitan City like Lagos,” Jejeloye stated.
