Lagos Taskforce Warns Okada Riders Over Restricted Routes, Unveils Compliance Monitoring Plan
LAGOS — The Lagos State Taskforce has intensified efforts to ensure commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as Okada riders, comply with the state’s traffic regulations, warning that violators of restricted routes could face arrest and motorcycle impoundment.
The Chairman of the Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, issued the warning during a public advocacy and sensitisation programme held in Ikorodu and surrounding communities.
The engagement was organised amid growing concerns over renewed violations of traffic rules by some commercial motorcycle operators, particularly on roads and corridors where Okada operations are prohibited.
Officials of the taskforce held discussions with representatives of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), and the Motorcycle Operators’ Association of Lagos State (MOALS) operating around Ikorodu, Ogolonto and Majidun.
The discussions centred on the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018, which clearly defines the routes where commercial motorcycles are legally permitted to operate.
Akerele explained that enforcement had previously been scaled down in parts of the area because operators were largely complying with the regulations. He, however, said authorities had recently observed an increase in Okada activities along prohibited highways, bridges and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors.
He said the taskforce therefore considered dialogue and public education necessary to address the development and prevent further breaches of the law.
At the conclusion of the meeting, NURTW and RTEAN agreed to collaborate with the taskforce to promote compliance among their members.
The unions also resolved to create an internal monitoring team responsible for supervising Okada operations in Ikorodu, Ogolonto, Majidun and neighbouring areas.
The taskforce said sensitisation efforts would continue alongside enforcement operations, stressing that motorcycles found operating on prohibited highways, bridges, BRT corridors and other restricted routes would be seized, while the operators could be arrested.
Akerele thanked the transport unions for their cooperation and urged Okada operators to comply with the rules to avoid penalties.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to combining stakeholder engagement, public awareness and enforcement to improve road safety, traffic order and compliance across Lagos.
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