The Ondo state government has announced ban on the operations of commercial motorcyclists popular known as Okada riders along the Ofosu-Ajebamidele stretch of the Benin- Ore Expressway.
Donald Ojogo, the Commissioner for Information in a statement on Thursday said the government was disturbed about the spate of insecurity in the area.
He added that the Okada operators hide under the business to engage in kidnapping, armed robbery and killings along the expressway.
Ojogo said, “Government has observed with serious concern, the activities of some unscrupulous elements who have hidden under the guise of engaging in motorcycle business, popularly known as Okada, to perpetrate crime on the Ofosu-Ajebamidele route along the Ore Expressway.
“Disturbed by the activities of these criminal elements which include armed robbery, kidnapping, their mode of operations as well as the heightening cases of loss of lives, the Ondo State Government has placed a total ban on commercial motorcycles (Okada) along the entire stretch of the route in question. This action is with immediate effect and shall suffice until further notice.
“By this development, all activities of commercial motorcyclists are henceforth, restricted to internal confines of Ore town and other communities in the area. Security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police, are consequently directed to apprehend forthwith, anyone who flouts this restriction order.
“Government appeals to the general public to cooperate with security agencies in the enforcement of this action in order to stem the growing rate of criminal activities along the area.”
YOMI AYELESO, Akure
