Lagos Taskforce Seizes 66 Okadas in Major Island Crackdown

(The impounded vehicles. Photo CREDIT: Vanguard News)

The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit has seized 66 commercial motorcycles during enforcement operations carried out on Monday across Lagos Island for breaching the state’s transport regulations.

The Taskforce Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, announced the seizure through a statement released by the agency’s spokesperson on Tuesday.

The operation targeted motorcycle operators riding on routes designated as restricted and creating safety and security hazards for other road users.

Enforcement teams conducted sweeps across multiple locations including CMS Bus Stop, Obalende, Osborne Roundabout, Abraham Adesanya Road, Lekki-Ajah Expressway and the Lagos Coastal Road. Akerele noted that normalcy was restored following the enforcement exercise.

The Taskforce has intensified its use of intelligence-gathering and tactical operations to eliminate unauthorised commercial motorcycle activity from prohibited highways, bridges and other restricted areas throughout the state.

Akerele acknowledged that some operators have adopted evasive tactics to circumvent enforcement efforts, but stated that the agency’s intelligence-driven methodology would progressively constrain opportunities for illegal operations.

The chairman cautioned that future enforcement activities would extend enforcement attention to include passengers found contravening transport regulations, not merely operators.

He confirmed that all impounded motorcycles would be permanently forfeited to the Lagos State Government through court proceedings in compliance with the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.

Akerele reaffirmed the agency’s determination to sustain enforcement initiatives across the state until complete regulatory compliance is realised.