Lagos Task Force impounds 98 motorcycles in Apapa
Men of of the Lagos State Task Force over the weekend impounded 98 commercial motorcycles plying restricted routes within the Apapa Area of Lagos.
The Chairman of the Agency, SP Olayinka Egbeyemi who stated this in a press statement issued on Sunday said the enforcement operation which led to the impounding of the motorcycle was carried out on the directive of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police CP Imohimi Edgal.
Asserting the importance of the enforcement operations, Egbeyemi noted that several warning had been issued to commercial motorcycle operators to desist from operating on restricted routes particularly on highways and bridges.
SP Egbeyemi said, ” the government is not comfortable with the flagrant abuse of law by commercial motorcycle operators, coupled with report of crime incidents allegedly perpetrated with the use of ‘okada’ particularly around Apapa, Mile 2, Festac, 2nd Rainbow, Ijesha and Orile-Iganmu.
“These commercial motorcycle operators, no doubt have been a sort of menace as their public nuisances and criminal activities at any time of the day is becoming alarming. ”
Speaking on the operation at Apapa, the Chairman said, while some of motorcyclist harassed innocent members of the public at various bus-stop around Coconut, Wharf, Tincan-Island and Apapa GRA, others engaged in all sorts of criminal acts by dispossesing their passengers of valuables and also robbing innocent motorists during traffic.
On the effort of the state government to ease traffic congestion on the Apapa road, Egbeyemi hinted that the commencement of repair work at the over 3000 capacity ‘ABAT Truck Terminal’ in Orile-Iganmu and other on-going roads constructions/rehabilitations around Apapa axis were part of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s efforts to permanently address the traffic.
Advising Leaders of commercial motorcycle Union in the state, the Chairman said members of the unions should be screen and those with criminal intent weed out from amongst them.
He also called for the proper educate of their members on the need to strictly adhere to the laws.
Revealing further, Egbeyemi said the exercise was ongoing as the CP has ordered the Agency to focus his operations more within Apapa until this menace is totally eradicated.
He however appealed to residents of Apapa to cooperate with the Taskforce during the exercise and be free to contact him for useful information to rid this menace.
A motorist who simply identified himself as John commended the Lagos State Commissioner of Police CP Edgal for his prompt enforcement directive to check illegal activities of these commercial motorcycle operators.
According to him, ” those commercial motocyclists who drives against traffic are fond of smatching side-screen and mirrors of vehicles that are on the right of way even knowing that they are at fault.”
A resident who refused to her name on print said “We appreciate the action of CP and we are ready to cooperate with Taskforce as most of these commercial motorcyclists are illegal Aliens from neighbouring countries. “
