Kwara: Concerns as Okada Riders Strongly Tackle Policemen, "We Cannot Survive Here"

• Okada riders in Ilorin alleged constant harassment and extortion by police officers
• They claimed officers targeted busy roads, forcing riders to pay before being released
• The Kwara police spokesperson did not respond to enquiries on the allegations

Commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as okada riders, have raised alarm over what they described as constant harassment and extortion from men of the Nigerian Police Force in Ilorin, Kwara state.

The riders, many of whom migrated from northern states such as Zamfara, Sokoto, and Katsina in search of greener pastures, told Legit.ng that their struggle for daily survival is being undermined by the alleged corrupt practices of law enforcement agents.

Okada riders in Ilorin allege daily harassment

They alleged that policemen take advantage of their poor literacy levels and language barriers to intimidate and extort them, often forcing them to part with their hard-earned money before being released.

One of the riders, who gave his name as Yahaya, said the situation has become unbearable.

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“We left our villages and family to come to Ilorin as Nigerians. We believe we have rights to live anywhere in this country too. Some of us left Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina so we could feed our families. But every day, the police are disturbing us.

“If they stop us, even if you have complete papers, they will say something in English you don’t understand and before you know it, they ask for money. If you don’t pay, they will carry your bike.”

Police extortion cripples riders’ earnings

According to the riders, the extortion happens in specific locations across Ilorin. Places often targeted by police patrol teams include Flower Garden, Adewole Road, Surulere, Oja-Oba, Challenge, and Ipata Market.

A rider identified as Kabiru recounted how he lost his entire day’s profit to the police.

“One day I worked from morning till night. I carried passengers from Oja-Oba to Challenge and back. I made almost ₦5,000. As I was going home, police stopped me at Surulere. They said my headlamp was not bright enough. I tried to explain, but they didn’t listen. They took ₦2,000 before they released me. That was my food money for the week.”

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Another rider, simply called Usman, said the harassment has forced some of his colleagues to abandon okada riding altogether.

“Many of my friends have left this work because of police wahala. If you make ₦3,000, you may end up giving them ₦1,500. How do we survive? We cannot go back to the north because there is no job there, and we cannot survive here because the police are taking everything.”

Kwara police yet to respond to allegations

The riders alleged that the police usually justify the arrests by citing traffic offences, lack of documents, or helmet violations. However, they claimed that even those who complied with all requirements were still harassed.

Legit.ng observed that in areas like Ipata Market and Oja-Oba, riders are often stopped in the middle of the road, disrupting traffic flow as police officers check papers and bargain with arrested riders.

When contacted for comment, the Kwara state Police Command Spokesman, DSP Ejire Toun did not respond to calls and messages sent to her demanding her reactions.

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Man crushed to death by Customs in Kwara

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that a tragic incident had thrown a Kwara community into mourning after a young man identified as Abdulakeem Iwalewa was reportedly killed by a vehicle belonging to operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

The incident occurred on Sunday, August 17, 2025, along the Mandala–Okolowo axis of Ilorin, when Customs operatives allegedly engaged smugglers in a hot chase.

Source: Legit.ng