Categories: Local

Arewa Community Backs Lagos Okada Ban, Seeks Stricter Border Checks

A file photo of scores of motorcycles seized by the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Enforcement Agency (Taskforce).

 

The Arewa community in Lagos has backed the state government’s ban on commercial motorcycles better known as Okada, asking security agencies to impose stricter border checks as a way of curbing the influx of foreigners. 

In a communique issued by the association at the end of its Extra-Ordinary General Meeting held in Lagos on Sunday, it said the move, which was taken last week, was not new.

“We resolved today unanimously that all our members must comply with the provisions of the laws of Lagos State. We are law-abiding and we will always continue to intimate on all our members to continue to be law-abiding and operate only within the ambits of the law,” the group said in a statement signed by its Secretary-General Alhaji Musa Saleh.

“We support all measures taken by the Lagos State Government in its efforts towards protecting the life and properties of all Lagosians.”

RELATED: Delivery Riders, Power Bikes Not Affected By Okada Ban – Police Commissioner

While condemning the activities of criminals posing as Okada riders, the Arewa community claimed that most of them are foreigners from Niger Republic, Chad, Cameroon, and other neighbouring nations.

“We are calling on the security agencies to identify and arrest all those criminal elements masquerading as Okada riders,” it said.

“We also tasking the Nigeria Immigration Service to step up its actions along the borderline in checking the influx of those foreign elements coming into the country without genuine intention.”

The group reiterated its resolve to support efforts by the Lagos State Government to safeguard lives and properties.

“We are calling on all well-meaning Arewa community members to comply with our common resolve and avoid the Local Governments of Apapa, Surulere, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Etiosa, and Ikeja,” the group maintained.

“We will work with the Lagos State Government and the Association of Arewa Okada Riders towards the implementation of extant rules and documentation of all riders in all local governments of Lagos State.

“We must have adequate data on everyone. We call on the Lagos State Government to be vigilant and take proper punitive measures on bad eggs within the security agencies.”

Emmanuel Egobiambu

Disqus Comments Loading...
Share
Published by
Emmanuel Egobiambu
Tags: Arewa bike Lagos State Okada

Recent Posts

  • Local

Police Parade 17 Suspected Political Thugs In Nasarawa

Nansel, a Deputy Superintend of Police said despite the warning, some criminal elements tried to infiltrate the state through its…

7 mins ago
  • Local

FG, Ogun Govt Mourn Oladipo Diya

Diya died on Sunday morning, according to family sources. He was aged 79 years.

16 mins ago
  • World News

‘Most Everything Wiped Away’: Tornado Kills At Least 25 In Mississippi

Mississippi's emergency management agency put the death toll at 25, and said dozens more were injured.

2 hours ago
  • Local

INEC Lacks Credibility For Future Elections, Says Prof Adibe

He lauded the Commission for embracing technology like the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in improving on the electoral process.

3 hours ago
  • Crime Watch
  • Local

Businessman Arrested As NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine, Meth Going To Vietnam, Brazil, Italy

The suspect claimed he travels frequently to China, Dubai, Pakistan and Vietnam, from where he imports baby wears and distributes…

4 hours ago
  • World News

‘Not A Crime’: Trump Dismisses NY Probe At Texas Rally

The former president has made a torrent of increasingly bellicose statements, claiming "misconduct" by prosecutors he refers to as "human…

5 hours ago