Commercial motorcycle riders go on rampage in Lagos

. Vandalise five BRT buses, chase policemen
Patience Ogbo
Commercial motorcycle riders, popularly known as okada, are set for “war” with law enforcement officers and the Lagos State Government over the clampdown on their operations in the state.
It was gathered that the okada riders in their hundreds are revolting at Isolo, Mushin and some sections of Ikorodu Road as at press time.
Some of them stormed the Lagos State exclusive Bus Rapid Transit lane at Onipanu, Mushin area, and vandalised no fewer than five buses.
Passengers had to scamper to safety.
It was gathered that the protesting okada riders also stormed the Eledie area of Somolu on Monday morning, attacking policemen in sight.
It was gathered that the policemen took to their heels, running to safety to avoid being lynched by the okada mob.
When contacted, Tijani Perkis, the Chairman of the Motorcycle Owners and Riders in Lagos State, stated that the union is meeting with Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State to prevail on the government to relax its firm stand on banning okada on about 500 roads in Lagos State.
Perkis said: “I have nothing to say now.
“But I will be meeting with the governor tomorrow and after our meeting I may talk to the press.”
The ban of the okada riders from the routes, the okada riders contended, has rendered over two million of them jobless.
As the clampdown on okada usage in the areas is intensified, not only the riders are negatively affected but thousands of residents who have to trek long distances or wait on queues for tricycle operators.
The Lagos State Task Force on the Environment and Special Offences Unit has destroyed more than 3,000 motorcycles since the clampdown began.
This did not however go down well with residents who feel that instead of destroying motorcycles bought with hard earned money, other measures could be employed to discourage the use of okada in the state.