Lagos Taskforce seizes 69 motorcycles in Amuwo-Odofin during a fresh okada crackdown, warning riders against defying the state’s transport ban. In a renewed effort to restore order and improve road safety, the Lagos State Taskforce has intensified its fight against illegal okada operations.
On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, officers seized 69 motorcycles during an enforcement sweep in Amuwo-Odofin LGA.
The operation targeted notorious hotspots Mile 2 Bridge, Agboju, and Apple Junction in Festac where banned commercial motorcyclists have returned in growing numbers.
This resurgence has become an unexpected problem for the state, despite the standing ban under the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018.
CSP Shola Jejeloye Akerele, who led the enforcement team, warned that such defiance endangers both commuters and pedestrians.
“We’ve observed a growing disregard for the law in these areas. These operators have returned to the roads, endangering pedestrians and other road users, especially during peak hours,” he stated.
According to CSP Akerele, all motorcycles seized during the Lagos Taskforce okada crackdown willw be forfeited to the state through court proceedings.
Furthermore, he stressed that the agency will maintain zero tolerance for non-compliance.
“Our duty is to protect lives and enforce laws that make Lagos a functional city,” Akerele said. “We will continue to carry out these operations and make sure our roads are safe for all.”
Residents in the affected areas expressed divided opinions on the latest crackdown.
Some welcomed the enforcement, seeing it as necessary to restore safety and order. Others, however, voiced concerns about the economic realities pushing riders back on the road.
“We understand that times are hard,” said Mr. Olumide Akanbi, a shop owner at Agboju Market.
“But safety must come first. Some of these okadas are reckless they ride against traffic and have caused a lot of accidents.”
Moreover, many locals noted that without strict enforcement, lawless riders tend to return, undoing previous gains made by the ban.
