The Lagos State Task Force has confiscated 78 commercial motorcycles, commonly known as okada, for violating traffic rules and operating along restricted routes in the state. The seizure was part of a broader enforcement drive to restore order and ensure public safety across major roads.

According to Mrs. Bolanle Ogunlola, Director of Public Affairs at the Ministry of Transportation, the motorcycles were seized during a clean-up operation carried out on Thursday in several parts of Lagos, including Aguda carriageway, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, and Lagos-Badagry Expressway. She explained that the task force’s mission is to curb illegal activities such as street trading, unauthorized parking, and ticket racketeering, which disrupt smooth movement and pose safety risks.

Ogunlola noted that the enforcement team visited Sanya Bus Stop, Ijesha Bus Stop, Berger Suya, Cele Express, Festac, and Federal Housing Authority frontage, among others, where some stubborn okada riders were caught operating on highways and pedestrian walkways despite previous warnings.

She stressed that all the impounded motorcycles would be forfeited to the state government through the courts, in accordance with the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018, which prohibits okada operations on certain highways and major roads.

The state government reiterated its commitment to maintaining sanity on Lagos roads and urged riders to comply with traffic laws, warning that the crackdown on illegal motorcycle operations would continue until full compliance is achieved.