Ekiti State Cracks Down on Okada Riders Amid Rising Insecurity
..As Okada Riders with cross belt, covered from head to toe will be prosecuted
In response to recent security challenges, Ekiti State is implementing stringent measures starting Tuesday to curb the activities of rogue motorcycle operators, known locally as Okada riders. Retired Brigadier General Ebenezer Ogundana, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, announced the crackdown in an exclusive interview with JIROLTV on Monday.
Effective immediately, any Okada rider wearing a cross belt or covered from head to toe will be arrested, and their motorcycles will be confiscated. This decision follows a spate of violent incidents attributed to individuals disguising themselves as Okada riders.
Rtd.Brigadier – General Ogundana revealed that additional security protocols include comprehensive stop-and-search operations targeting Okada riders. Law enforcement will meticulously inspect all parts of the motorcycles, responding to intelligence reports suggesting that criminals are concealing weapons, such as guns and machetes, in their vehicles.
Expressing sympathy for the families affected by recent violence, Ogundana emphasized that these incidents are isolated. He reassured residents that the state government is committed to swiftly addressing the threat, akin to the decisive action taken last year to quell the herdsmen crisis with military intervention.
To sustain Ekiti’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s safest states, the government has convened multiple meetings with security agencies and Okada riders. These discussions aim to identify and apprehend the perpetrators behind the recent killings.
Ogundana reiterated that the government will not tolerate the state being overrun by criminals. In addition to the new measures, the existing 10 PM curfew for Okada operations remains in force.
The state plans to introduce thorough registration for all Okada riders, including private and dispatch riders. Each registered rider will receive a unique ID card and a specially designated vest for easy identification, ensuring that these credentials cannot be transferred between individuals.
Public awareness campaigns, including radio jingles, will be launched to inform and educate the public about these new regulations.
Ogundana called on residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities, reinforcing that security is a collective responsibility.
Echoing these sentiments, Kunle Asaolu, Chairman of the Okada Riders Association, confirmed that a detailed registration process, incorporating barcoded identification numbers, will soon be implemented for all riders in the state.
With these initiatives, the Ekiti State government aims to prevent future tragedies and restore peace and safety across the state.
