CITIZENS COMPASS—The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offenses (Enforcement) Unit (Taskforce), on Wednesday, uncovered some recalcitrant commercial motorcycle operators popularly known as Okada riders who indulge in traffic robbery under the guise of operating Okada for commercial purposes.
The agency foiled a traffic robbery operation around Toyota bus stop inward Aswani along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.
The Agency in its intensified operations against commercial motorcycle operators (Okada riders) discovered that some recalcitrant Okada riders are now indulging in traffic robbery under the guise of operating Okada for commercial purposes.
Two suspects who are currently at large allegedly used a motorcycle to block and attack one Babatunde Oni (26) a Tricycle rider and dispossessed him of his android phone and other personal belongings.
According to the victim; He noticed an engine problem from his tricycles and parked off the road to check it, when two men alerted from Okada and robbed him of his Android phone and other valuable items at gun point.The two suspects realising that the Taskforce officials were on their trail,.they abandoned their bike,.other stolen items and escaped.
The suspects are believed to be involved in other criminal activities such as bag snatching, pickpocketing, and shoplifting.
During the operation, a phone stolen from the.victim was recovered by Taskforce officials, another cache of dangerous weapons, illegal substances suspected to be Indian hemp and the motorcycles used for the robbery were also confiscated by the team of Taskforce officials.
The spate of attacks on Tricycles riders in recent past calls for concern and vigilance from well meaning Lagosians and the need for all of us to further rededicate our efforts towards making the state safe, secured and habitable for all.
This new wave of dastardly acts highlights the growing concern over the use of commercial motorcycles for criminal purposes, emphasizing the Agency sustained enforcement actions against recalcitrant riders who promote lawlessness and endanger public safety on Lagos roads.
Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, reaffirmed the agency’s unwavering commitment to eliminating criminal elements that threaten the peace and security of innocent Lagos motorists, particularly the recent attack on Tricycles ridders and use of keke for robbery “one chance” by unscrupulous elements.
“This reflects our zero-tolerance policy against a new wave of attacks on Keke riders,traffic robbery and operation of commercial motorcycles on the highways that compromise the security of lives and properties in our communities.
The suspects if caught will face the full weight of the law as investigations and manhunt for the two suspects continues.” Akerele stated
He also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities through the agency’s ‘See Something, Say Something’ initiative.
Lagos State Taskforce remains resolute in its mission to create a safe and crime-free environment for all.
The manhunt for the two suspects and other criminal elements is being carried out in every nook and cranny of the State as part of a series of strategic enforcement actions aimed at restoring orderliness geared towards traffic robbery free society.
