Operators of commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, took to the streets of Benin City, Edo State on Wednesday to protest the ban on their operations in Benin township.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Governor Adams Oshiomhole, in a state-wide broadcast on June 6, announced the ban on the use of Okada in Benin City.
The protesters, who turned out in large numbers, took over the very busy King Square.
Human and vehicular movements were brought to a halt by the protesters who barricaded the entrance into the ever busy Ring Road with their motorcycles.
Reacting to the ban, Peter Adoroh, President, Okada Riders Association in Edo, urged his colleagues to be patient and not to foment trouble.
Adoroh said: “It is obvious that we have been given a bad image because some of us are involved in social vices.
“But not all of us are criminally-minded.
“We were expecting the ban, which made us to issue a directive for our members to procure reflective jackets.”
Adoroh urged members of the association to respect the governor’s opinion.
“I encourage genuine riders not to join others to foment trouble, but wait until we meet with the governor,” he cautioned.
Musa Idris, a commercial motorcyclist, told NAN that the government ought to have given them enough notice to enable them prepare their mind psychologically for the ban.
Idris said: “How can the governor announce a ban on Okada operations with just one week notice?
“We are all family men and bread winners.
“Where does he want us to get our daily bread from?
“From records, we know that criminal activities in the state have gone down considerably.
“There is no more kidnapping and armed robbery.
“So the governor’s argument that he imposed the ban because of armed robbery and kidnapping is not true.
“Just two months ago, we were made to pay N2,000 each to buy reflective jackets, which it (government) claimed will identify real riders from hoodlums.”
NAN reports that it took the combined efforts of a team of security operatives, made up of soldiers and anti-riot policemen, to disperse the protesters.