Nigeria

Okada ban: Lagos CP warns police officers against arresting motorcycles used for courier services

Monday, February 03, 2020 at 10:29 PM by Wale Akinola

- Lagos commissioner of police, Hakeem Odumosu, has sent a warning message to police officers in the state

- The state government had restricted Okada in some local governments within the state

- Odumosu told his officers not to arrest motorcycles used for courier services

Amid tension and arrest of some motorcycle riders for violating the law banning their activities in some local governments and local council areas of the state, the Lagos state commissioner of police, Hakeem Odumosu, has sent a warning message to police personnel in the state.

Legit.ng reports that in a statement issued on Monday, February 3, by the state police spokesman, DSP Bala Elkana, the commissioner of police said it would be illegal for any of his personnel to arrest motorcycles used for courier services.

He said that motorcycles used for courier services were not included in the restrictions placed on motorcycles in Lagos state.

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Odumosu emphasised that operators of courier services must strictly obey traffic laws and ensure that they do not drive against traffic (one way), adding that dispatch riders must put on their crash helmets and should have the dispatch box fixed at the back of the motorcycle.

Okada ban: Lagos CP warns police officers against arresting motorcycles used for courier services — Okada riders protesting the ban on their activities in Lagos state.
Source: UGC

He added that the bike must strictly be used for courier purposes, adding that no carrying of passengers as he noted that power bikes are also not affected by the restrictions.

The statement read: "Commissioner of police Lagos state, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has issued circular to that effect to all the area commanders, DPOs and police officers across the state. The CP also warned police officers on enforcement to strictly abide by the rules of engagement as contained in the extant laws.

"The exercise must be free of harassment and extortion. Erring police officers will be dealt with in accordance with the law. Members of the public with genuine grievances and complaints against Police Officers should call any of the following numbers: 08063025274, 08063104759, 08113615350, 08113615350. Twenty four suspects were arrested for blocking major roads in Ijora, causing obstructions.