By Aishat Ibrahim
No fewer than 482 motorcycles impounded on restricted roads were on Saturday publicly crushed by the Lagos State Government at the Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja.
This was contained in a statement by the police spokesperson in the State, Adekunle Ajisebutu.
Ajisebutu explained that the motorcycles were seized for breaking the laws that restrict them from plying some routes and other traffic laws in the State.
Recall that the State Government had in January banned the operations of commercial motorcycles, popularly known as okada, and tricycles in 15 local councils.
Speaking at the crushing site, the Lagos Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, disclosed that the exercise was publicly demonstrated to debunk the insinuations among the public that impounded motorcycles were being sold and recycled.
“Over the years, we’ve observed that the motorcycles we are seeing here now have been part of the instrument they use in committing crime. When somebody is to be kidnapped, they (do it) with Okada, when somebody’s bag is snatched at the bus-stop, they do that. With the traffic now, Okadas are being used to commit crime,” Odumosu said.
The police boss warned erring motorcycle operators to avoid plying restricted areas or violating traffic laws, saying the crushing exercise would be continuous to discourage people from trampling upon the law.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit Taskforce had said it impounded 204 motorcycles at Ojodu Berger, Ketu Alapere, Agric, and Ikeja areas for plying restricted roads and violating the state’s traffic laws.
