The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit (task force) has impounded 66 commercial motorcycles, aka Okadas, for violating the state’s transport regulations.

The chairman of the task force, Adetayo Akerele, disclosed this in a statement signed by the agency’s spokesperson, Abdulraheem Gbadeyan, on Tuesday in Lagos.

Mr Akerele said the motorcycles were impounded during an enforcement operation conducted on Monday across parts of Lagos Island. He said the exercise was aimed at curbing illegal commercial motorcycle operations and other activities that constitute nuisances and security threats.

According to him, the enforcement team visited CMS Bus Stop, Obalende, Osborne Roundabout, Abraham Adesanya Road, Lekki-Ajah Expressway and the Lagos Coastal Road.

He said the operators were found riding on restricted routes and constituting a nuisance to motorists and other road users.

“During the operation, 66 commercial motorcycles were impounded, while normalcy was restored in the affected areas,” he said.

The chairman said the agency had intensified intelligence gathering and tactical operations to eliminate illegal Okada operations from restricted highways, bridges, and other prohibited routes across the state.

He said some recalcitrant operators had devised different tactics to evade enforcement but added that the agency’s intelligence-driven approach would make it increasingly difficult for them to operate illegally.

Mr Akerele warned that subsequent enforcement operations would target not only illegal motorcycle operators but also passengers found violating the law.

He reiterated that all impounded motorcycles would be forfeited to the Lagos State government through the courts in accordance with the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.

Mr Akerele reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to sustaining enforcement operations across the state until full compliance was achieved.

(NAN)