Lagos infiltrated by violent mercenaries from Niger, Chad – Fani-Kayode
The former minister of aviation and a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has said that Lagos state has been ‘infiltrated and occupied by violent mercenaries from Niger and Chad all claiming to be commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada and tricycles (Keke NAPEP).
Fani-Kayode on his Twitter handle on Wednesday hailed the Lagos State governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for banning the commercial motorcycles, known as Okada and tricycles (Keke NAPEP) saying the governor ‘did well by banning them’
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He went on to say that If the Niger and Chad Okada riders rose up against the indigenous population in the name of jihad or ethnic cleansing it would have been hell.
Lagos had been encircled, infiltrated and occupied by violent mercenaries from Niger and Chad all claiming to be Okada riders. If they rose up against the indigenous population in the name of jihad or ethnic cleansing it would have been hell. Sanwo-Olu did well by banning them.
— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) February 5, 2020
Lagos had been encircled, infiltrated and occupied by violent mercenaries from Niger and Chad all claiming to be Okada riders. If they rose up against the indigenous population in the name of jihad or ethnic cleansing it would have been hell. Sanwo-Olu did well by banning them. Fani-Kayode said
Also the Lagos State Government has said that it will not reverse the ongoing enforcement of its Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018, which restricts operations of commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada and tricycles (Keke NAPEP) in 15 local councils across the State.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu made this known on Tuesday, while speaking at the official launch of commercial operations in water transportation by Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) at an event held at Badore Ferry Terminal in Ajah.
Sanwo-Olu said the State Government would not give in to blackmail and “uninformed criticism” of its decision to restrict Okada and Keke NAPEP on the highways, saying the enforcement became necessary in the face of growing threats to security of lives of residents.
Besides, Sanwo-Olu said the scary figures of accidents resulting from Okada riders’ recklessness and the disobedience to traffic laws necessitated the enforcement of the laws.
The Governor admitted the decision was a tough one, but said his Government would not compromise on the issue of security and safety of residents.
He said: “I agree it’s a tough decision we made regarding the restriction of Okada and Keke in some parts of Lagos. But I want to say some facts, which people can debate. The restriction that we have done is primarily based on security and safety of lives of residents. We took the decision based on the level of danger we have seen to have happened to our people.
“As a responsible Government, we will not fold our arms and allow Okada riders put our lives in danger. One life is more important to us than all the economic benefits to be made if we allowed them to continue. We understand that investment too can be critical, but keeping people alive and safe is more germane.”
Sanwo-Olu identified with commuters affected by the Okada restriction. He announced that the Government would be deploying over 500 buses to the routes listed in the restriction directive as alternative to ease movement.
He added that the launching of commercial operations on waterways by LAGFERRY was another programme introduced by the Government to address congestion on the highways.
