Okada riders relocating from Lagos to Sokoto accosted in Ekiti

“They claimed they were coming from Lagos and travelling to Sokoto, and they were fleeing because of the Okada ban in Lagos.”

Okada riders used to illustrate the story [Photo Credit: Bella Naija]

Scores of Okada riders are now fleeing Lagos over the ban of Okada (commercial motorcycles) operations in parts of the state by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. 

Dozens of the Okada riders, loaded in a lorry, were intercepted in the Ikere area of Ekiti by residents keeping vigils over the town. On their way to Sokoto, the hapless travellers were stopped by the locals for security reasons occasioned by clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the area.

In a verified video circulating online on Wednesday, the Ikere Ekiti locals were seen with the operatives of the Ekiti State Security Network Agency, codenamed ‘Amotekun Corps’, searching the travellers. 

The Amotekun Corps commandant in Ekiti, Joe Komolafe, confirmed the video and told Peoples Gazette that the travellers were intercepted in Ikere during a stopover while in transit to Sokoto. 

“The video is from Ekiti state. I didn’t see any arms and ammunition when we searched the vehicle. They claimed they were coming from Lagos and travelling to Sokoto, and they were fleeing because of the Okada ban in Lagos,” stated Mr Komolafe.

The Amotekun commandant added, “We searched the lorry and didn’t find anything incriminating. We escorted them out of the state (Ekiti) so that they won’t hide in the forest or anywhere here. There were many of them returning home. There is no cause for panic as we have beefed up security here. We saw their personal belongings and about five motorcycles with them.” 

Mr Sanwo-Olu had announced an indefinite ban on Okada riders’ activities in six local government areas of Lagos over safety and security in the state. The ban took effect on June 1.