Osun State Government has announced that commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators in the state will begin to use identity cards and uniform jackets henceforth.

Governor Gboyga  Oyetola in a tweet by @GboyegaOyetola, his official Twitter handle, explained that the new policy was introduced to ensure the safety of citizens against the unruly activities of hoodlums in the state.

He lamented that hoodlums were taking advantage of the uncoordinated operations of motorcycle and tricycle riders to engage in robbery and kidnapping attacks.

Mr Oyetola warned that all motorcycle and tricycle riders in the state must be in their uniform jacket and identity card at all times.

“As parts of efforts to sanitise the activities of commercial motorcycle operators in Osun, I this afternoon, launched Jackets & Identity cards for Okada & Tricycle riders in the State,” Mr Oyetola said.

He added “It’s unfortunate and disturbing that some hoodlums and undesirable elements have taken advantage of the unregulated nature of activities of commercial motorcyclists to engage in unwholesome activities such as robbery, kidnapping and pickpocketing.

“As a govt. that has responsibility for ensuring the security & safety of its citizens, we cannot stand by & watch our citizens suffer untold hardships. This is why we instituted the jacket and identity card regime for our collective good & safety. Henceforth, all okada & keke riders in Osun must be in their uniform jackets & have their ID cards on,” he warned.

This new directive comes as South-West states continue to device means to bolster their security structure against kidnapping and other forms of security threats.

Very recently, the police command in Lagos state deployed officers to carry out 24 hours surveillance on schools and farms, to forestall abduction and banditry in the state.

Kwara and Oyo governments in 2020 introduced identity cards for commercial motorcyclist beef up security in the state