Metro

Lagos Taskforce Impounds 344 Motorcycles, Vows To End Okada Operations

Published

2 years ago

January 14, 2024

Editor

The Lagos State Taskforce has impounded no fewer than 344 commercial motorcycles, popularly called okada, during a week-long raid in different areas of the state.

The task force has also vowed to end the operations of the recalcitrant bike riders in the state.

The agency’s Director, Press & Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, disclosed this in a statement released on Sunday.

The statement read, “The Lagos State Taskforce has vowed to bring the operations of recalcitrant okada operators in the state to a complete halt as it carries out a week-long raid across various parts of the metropolis.

“The week-long exercise was anchored by the Chairman of the Agency, CSP Shola Jejeloye who vowed to cripple the activities of okada operators. He disclosed that their activities along some highways in the state have continually put the life of commuters along the axis in harm’s way.”

The statement revealed that during the raid, the task force impounded 174 bikes in the Abule Ado axis, 50 bikes in Lagos Island, 50 bikes in Berger/ Grammar School, and 70 bikes were impounded in the Abule Egba axis.

According to the statement, Jejeloye said, “We have taken it upon ourselves to end okada operations in the state and we are putting all mechanisms in place to ensure we achieve this goal.

“There is a ban on their activities along selected routes and Local Governments in Lagos, therefore they should not be allowed to operate as they please.

“It is our resolve in Y2024 to ensure that the terminal end of every enforcement is the court. Therefore, the fixed mindset of all environmental and traffic violators who think they can get away with every infraction through “man knows man” or godfatherism will not be tolerated. Enough is enough.”

He also sounded a note of warning to security officials in uniform and urged them to obey the rules and regulations of the state regarding okada operation.

“There will be no sacred cows in the enforcement of okada operations in the state therefore any uniform man caught conveying passengers on a bike for commercial purposes will be thoroughly dealt with. We should be the ones setting the right examples not breaking them. It will no longer be business as usual”. Jejeloye stated.

He also urged Lagosians to desist from patronising okada operators in order “to make our roads safe, hazard free and motorable for all.”

The PUNCH reports that the Lagos State Government had banned the operation of commercial motorcycles on major highways.

In November 1500 seized motorcycles were destroyed on the Lagos State Task Force premises in Oshodi following the clampdown by the state government on okada operators said to have returned to the roads.

Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.

Metro

Grandfathers Arrested For Drug Trafficking

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

Two grandfathers, aged 83 and 78, are among several suspects apprehended by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a fresh nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking.

Pa John Ofiel, 83, was arrested on Tuesday, 28 April during a raid in the Aba region of Abia State.

The NDLEA said that operatives acting on credible intelligence recovered 700 grams of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis already packaged into retail sachets.

The octogenarian, who claimed to be a professional shoemaker allegedly confessed to delving into the illicit trade.

In Ekiti State on Thursday 30 April 78 year old Ogunjobi Samuel was detained at his residence in Ilupeju-Ekiti where officers seized 350 grams of cannabis from him, identifying him as a local peddler.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, (CCEO), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), commended the various state commands for their drug supply reduction efforts.

He urged officers to maintain the current momentum, balancing enforcement with the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities.
The enforcement drive also led to the arrest of a notorious drug dealer in Oyo State Taofik Adeyemi, 49.

He was apprehended on Saturday, 2 May, at his residence in Ibadan after months of evading the authorities.

He was caught alongside his salesman, Mustapha Oyerinde, with 3.085kg of cannabis and a getaway vehicle.

Across other states, the NDLEA recorded significant seizures including over 140,000 pills and capsules of Tramadol intercepted in separate operations targeting transit routes from Damaturu to Hadejia.

A raid on Awolowo Market in Mushin area of Lagos state resulted in the recovery of 740kg of cannabis while in Kaduna, two suspects were caught on the Abuja-Jos highway with 290kg of compressed cannabis concealed in a Honda Ridgeline.

A 65-year-old driver was intercepted at the Ile-Ife toll gate in Osun state conveying skunk and methamphetamine, leading to a follow up arrest of the consignment’s owner in Ilesha.

In line with it’s mandate, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy, holding enlightenment lectures for students, Islamic schools, and commercial motorcyclists in Niger, Kano, Anambra, and Lagos states.

The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, noted that the agency remains committed to “cleansing the streets” of both notorious distributors and those who use age as a shield for criminal activity.