Edo State Govt. Bans The Use of Commercial Motorcycles 'Okada'

Edo State Government has banned the use of commercial motorcycles,
popularly called Okada in three Local Government Areas of the state
with effect from next Monday.
Some houses used by kidnappers as hideout has also been identifies and
would be demolished in the next few days.
The State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who disclosed this on
Tuesday shortly after the state Security Council meeting in Benin
City, said the affected local Government Areas are Ikpoba Okha, Oredo
and Egor which constitute the Benin Metropolis.
He said it was now increasingly evident that Edo state is gradually
becoming a safe haven for all manners of bike riders.
Oshiomhole said, "In fact there are confirmed Okada riders who have
been involved in kidnapping and other forms of violent crimes
including robbery. We have tried as a government over the years to
take steps to counsel Okada riders to observe certain codes, to
watchout and ensure that criminals do not infiltrate their ranks and
hide under commercial vehicles to perpetrate crime. It is clear to me
now that we have not been particularly successful. More and more Okada
riders have been found to be involved in various acts of violent
crimes.
"Also, because of the influx of bike riders, arising from the decision
of some of our neighbouring states where bike riders have been
prohibited, Edo State has become a safe haven for all manners of bike
riders and because they do not get enough commercial patronage, some
bike riders have to resort to crime in other to sustain a living while
posing to be bike riders," he noted.
Oshiomhole declared, "I am convinced that we cannot continue to allow
this situation to continue. While I am very concerned about the fact
of the level of unemployment in the country, and in Edo state we have
our own fair share of unemployment, I am convinced that the long term
interest of job creation requires that you attract investors and
investment to the state. It is a settled issue that investors will not
be in a hurry to go to any state that the level of crime has risen
beyond acceptable level.
"Therefore, everything considered, we have resolved as a government,
effective from Monday next week, bikeriders will not be allowed to
operate in any part of Oredo, Ikpoba Okha and Egor Local Government
Areas. These three local governments constitute the heart of Benin
City. The law enforcement agencies have been informed accordingly and
directed to strictly enforce this law," he noted.
The governor stated that for now the other fifteen (15) local
government areas in the state will not be affected by this law, adding
that "should situation deteriorate in those areas, we will meet as a
government and review the situation and take the necessary next step.
Comrade Oshiomhole said that more than eighty percent of accident
victims in the hospital are bike riders, noting that "we cannot
continue like this. I therefore reached the painful conclusion that it
is time to do something and we cannot postpone it further."
"I am not in doubt that there are many Okada riders who are not
criminals and they have no criminal intentions. I am also convinced
that there are many Okada riders who are into legitimate business,
unfortunately there isn't any mechanism for us to distinguish
criminals who are also bike operators and decent citizens who are
doing their very best to cope with the rigours of life, this is just
one sacrifice we all have to make to make our state safer," he added.
The Governor therefore appealed to the Okada riders to appreciate the
government's efforts and advised them to abide by the law strictly
because a violation will be severely dealt with.
The Governor disclosed that the security meeting also resolved that
all residents in the state, whether they are landlords or tenants
should ensure that those they employ as private security guards or
maids in their homes have been properly scrutinized and certified that
they have the right to reside in Nigeria.
"That is to say that it is the responsibility of every landlord or
tenants to ensure that those they employ or hire as gatemen or
security have got proper security scrutiny. The security chiefs have
been directed to conductrandom checks on security guards in various
areas to establish their legal status whether they are Nigerians and
if they are not Nigerians whether they have the right to reside in the
state, and or have the right to engage in employment," the governor
added.
While reiterating government's resolve to demolish buildings used by
kidnappers, Comrade Oshiomhole said some of such buildings have been
identified and action will be taken on then in soon. He however
announced that government will appropriately reward anybody who is
able to provide useful information to any arm of the security agencies
on criminal elements in the society.

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