Lagos State renews enforcement of the okada ban to curb crime and accidents, urging safer public transport solutions

The Lagos State Government has escalated its enforcement of the Lagos okada ban amid growing concerns over public safety, crime, and traffic lawlessness.

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Despite years of regulations, enforcement raids, and the seizure of thousands of commercial motorcycles, operators of okadas and tricycles (Keke Marwa) continue to defy restrictions across the state.

In a week-long operation in August, the state’s task force impounded 668 commercial motorcycles and arrested seven suspects.

The operation, led by task force chairman Adetayo Akerele, targeted several flagged hotspots, including Ishaga, Iyana-Iba, Iyana-Ishasi, and Ijegun Roundabout.

According to Akerele, the raids were spurred by citizen complaints and security alerts, especially around night-time robberies.

Okada riders have reportedly been used by suspected criminals to target innocent residents and tricycle passengers, stealing valuables and endangering lives.

“These areas were identified based on recurring incidents of robbery and disregard for traffic laws,” Akerele stated.

The okada riders’ notorious disregard for safety, including riding against traffic and violating traffic signals, has led to numerous fatal accidents.

Official records show that between 2016 and 2019, Lagos recorded over 10,000 okada-related accidents, resulting in more than 600 deaths.

Lagos began its clampdown in 2006, banning nighttime operations. The introduction of the 2012 Lagos State Road Traffic Law prohibited motorcycles below 200cc engine capacity from operating on major roads.

The law was further reinforced in 2018 under the Transport Sector Reform Law, criminalizing okada and keke operations on highways.

Section 46 (1) of the 2018 law: “No person shall ride, drive or propel a motorcycle or tricycle on a major highway within the state.”

Conviction under this law carries a three-year prison sentence, with the vehicle forfeited to the state.

Despite these measures, non-compliance remains widespread. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has reiterated the government’s stance on the ban, backed by regular raids from the Nigeria Police Force and the environmental and special offences task force.

While commercial motorcycles and tricycles offer convenient mobility, especially in congested areas, the risks now outweigh the benefits, authorities argue.

To offset the mobility gap left by the ban, the Lagos government is urged to:

Expand bus rapid transit (BRT) and other public transport options.
Collaborate with the private sector to scale up safe and affordable transport solutions.
Roll out job reintegration programs for affected riders.
Enforce the use of helmets and basic safety compliance where operations remain legal.

Stakeholders stress that any lasting solution must be data-driven and consultative. A holistic reform should factor in the economic reliance of riders, commuter needs, and public safety.

“Lagos cannot risk more lives in the name of convenience. But any ban must be matched with viable alternatives,” a transport analyst noted.

The Lagos okada ban is not new, but its enforcement is entering a more aggressive phase, with renewed focus on crime prevention, accident reduction, and public order.

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The state government insists that safety of lives and property remains its top priority—and the time has come to fully implement the law, statewide and without compromise.