Few days after a major clampdown on commercial motorcycles popularly known as “Okada” by the Lagos State Task Force at the Mile Two Bridge along the Lagos ports access road, findings by Shipping Position Daily have revealed that the operators have resumed activities, raising concerns about the enforcement of the ban.
Eyewitnesses reported that on Monday last week, Lagos State Task Force officials stormed the Mile Two Bridge area, seizing numerous motorcycles in a bid to rid the roads of “Okada” operators. However, by Wednesday, commercial motorcyclists had returned to the same location along the Mile 2-Apapa Wharf Road.
The defiant commercial motorcycle riders who spoke with our correspondent last week alleged that some of the Okada riders have gone to bail out their motorcycles from officials of the Lagos State Task Force, paying as high N200,000 each. According to them, those who could not get security personnel or insider, risk forfeiting their bikes.
In a chat with our correspondent last week, a commercial rider who simply identified himself as Adamu confirmed that some of his colleagues have already secured the release of their motorcycles which were seized on Monday. He alleged that they paid as high as N200,000 each at the Lagos State Task Force office to recover their motorcycles the following day.
“Some of my friends have collected their bikes already. You will have to go with either a soldier or any ‘force person’ if not they will arrest you and put you in jail. Those who collected their bikes said they paid N200, 000. You will also give the soldier or ‘force man’ N20,000” Adamu said.
Another commercial rider, who refused to mention his name, said one of his brothers was arrested alongside his motorcycle during the raid. He said they have been asked to pay about N500,000 to bail him.
Reacting to the re-appearance of the Okada riders along the port access route, the National Secretary of the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (AREFFN), Mr. Frank Obiezekie attributed the persistence of Okada operators to lack of political will. He pointed out that the government has the power to tackle these problems effectively, despite ongoing sabotage by certain elements.
Obiekezie further emphasized the security risks associated with allowing Okada operations to thrive despite the ban. He further added that the government must not allow or pretend to tolerate the individuals or groups defying the law, thus contributing to the ongoing security challenges in the state.
Despite acknowledging that these issues are not necessarily detrimental to the average freight forwarder, Obiezekie stressed that once the government is committed to addressing the challenges in the maritime sector, the situation will improve. He urged the government to adopt a political approach to unravel the causes behind the menace and take the necessary steps to resolve them.
“Experience has shown that none of these problems is insurmountable. What is required is the political will. If the government is determined, they will put an end to this. The problem is that the government itself is harboring them, either directly or indirectly. What is required is political will. All the government needs to do is determine to address these issues, and they will be resolved.
“I am not sure that most of them are there just for economic reasons. Some may be there for other reasons. Beyond congestion, there are serious security risks. It is up to the government to uncover the underlying factors and take decisive action.” he noted.
Also speaking, the Deputy National President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Mr. Simeon Nwonu, alleged that corruption within the enforcement system is the reason the crackdown appears ineffective. He alleged that a hidden ‘trade’ is taking place between the police and motorcycle owners.
Nwonu, in his remarks, highlighted the systemic issues in the country that contribute to the persistence of such practices, stressing that the situation reflects a broader pattern of dishonesty and exploitation. According to him, after the police seize motorcycles, the owners often have to pay a certain amount of money to recover their property, creating a cycle of corruption and exploitation.
The NAGAFF Deputy President pointed out that, despite large seizures, owners are able to recover their motorcycles if they are willing to pay, implying an undercurrent of illegal transactions happening behind the scenes. He cited specific instances of this practice, mentioning that in areas like Area ‘B’ Police Command, large numbers of motorcycles are seized and stored, only to be returned to their owners after they ‘settle’ with the authorities.
Nwonu concluded by stressing that such practices would continue unless the security forces become genuinely committed to their duties, emphasizing the need for sincerity in their approach.
“Sometimes you see the whole of Area B, they will pack okadas, and by the time it is much later in the night, they ‘settle’ them, and those who have settled will carry their okada. If the seized motorcycles were truly taken off the roads permanently, do you think the operators would return so quickly? There’s an established system where law enforcement agents benefit financially from these crackdowns,” Nwonu alleged.
