The Lagos State Task Force has ordered owners/operators of commercial Gokada and Maxokada to immediately comply with the Lagos State Road Traffic Laws of 2012.
The Chairman of the Agency, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, disclosed this on Tuesday during an enforcement operations on motorcyclists operating on restricted routes, including one-way, around Ikeja, Ojota and Maryland.
Egbeyemi disclosed further that out of 115 motorcycles impounded during the enforcement operations, 22 were branded commercial Gokada and Maxokada.
He said the activities of these newly branded commercial motorcycle operators is illegal and without any valid documentations from the State Government.
The Chairman reiterated that in accordance with the law, no commercial motorcycle operator is allowed to operate around 475 restricted routes, including highways and bridges across the State.
A statement from the Task Force on Tuesday said: “The government enjoined members of the public to henceforth desists from patronising commercial motorcyclists on all restricted routes as passengers are as well liable for prosecutions.
“It was an eye-sore seeing operators of these newly branded commercial motorcycles (Gokada/Maxokada) competing for right of ways with motorists on highways and bridges across the State.”
The Chairman however stated that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Zubairu Muazu, has directed that 10 arrested riders be immediately charged to court for prosecution.
One of the arrested Gokada rider, Ayeni Francis, who claimed to be paying N3,000 per day to their authority, said they were not aware of any documentations with the government.
Another arrested rider, Adebayo Adeniran, confirmed that he collected one of the newly branded commercial motorcycle, Maxokada, on higher purchase from the management after he presented a guarantor.