The Lagos State Police Command has declared that okada operators and their passengers would be detained and prosecuted if they disobeyed the state’s decree prohibiting their activities.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this on Twitter on Saturday.
This came up after the state government reinstated a fresh ban on Okada riders’ operations in some part of the state following the lynching of a sound engineer identified as David.
Fresh Okada Ban: Lagos Police Vow to Prosecute Operators, Passengers
The state government ordered that with effect from June 1, security operatives should enforce the proscription order across the listed councils.
Enforcing the new law, SP Benjamin wrote,
“Under the new total ban of motorcycles in six local government areas of Lagos State, passengers and riders alike will be arrested and prosecuted.
The passenger is an accomplice. Ignorance will not be an excuse!,” Hundeyin tweeted.”
However, the post generated reactions as citizens raised alarm on circumstances that could warrant people to take bikes.
A concern Nigerian with the twitter handle, @AbuSadeeqElboss wrote;
“Nowhere a passenger will be an accomplice. You don’t know his/her emergency.
A person in this situation will use what ever means necessary. What ever is available.”
“Extenuating circumstances will of course be taken cognizance of.” Hundeyin replied.
“What about policemen that use motorcycle for carrying passengers?,” Another queried.
“Both of them will be promptly arrested except the passenger too is a law enforcement officer and both of them are in full uniform,” The PPRO insisted.
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