Heightened security alert in Lekki, Oniru over Okada ban by Lagos

The renewed ban on the operations of commercial motorcyclists, Okada, by the Lagos State Government in six local government areas of the state, has prompted residents around Lekki and Oniru axis, to reassess the security situation in their communities.

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday announced total ban on the operations of Okada riders in six local government areas, including Eti-Osa Local Government Area, which covers Lekki and Oniru, with effect from June 1, 2022.

However, less than 24 hours after Sanwo-Olu’s pronouncement, the Lekki Phase I Residents Association (LERA) restricted commercial motorcycle operation within the estate.

Chairman of LERA, Mr. Yomi Idowu, who briefed newsmen on Thursday, tasked Governor Sanwo-Olu to enforce the total ban on Okada.

Beyond that, he also raised alarm over the presence of hoodlums in some uncompleted buildings, calling on the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and the New Towns Development Authority (NTDA) to flush them out.

He said: “Intelligence reports reaching us are that following the raid on Okada riders and subsequent seizure of their bikes in Lekki Phase 1 by officials of Lagos State Taskforce, the riders, who believe the action was instigated by Lekki residents, are planning to attack the residents.

READ: Sanwo-Olu announces total ban on Okada in six Lagos LGAs

“This is not the first time residents have been terrorised by motorcycle riders in Lekki Phase I. Indeed, Okada has been an environmental nuisance and many residents have had their fair share of their sheer recklessness. It is an obvious fact that security within Lekki Phase I has deteriorated. It is imperative that we all take a collective stance and formulate joint initiatives to avert a total exposure to imminent security threats to the lives and assets of our residents.

“We in Lekki Phase I cannot risk the lives our people further. We are, therefore, taking proactive measures by banning activities of Okada riders with immediate effect. We choose to live and say no to ‘Okada’ on our roads and streets.”

Meanwhile, the Oniru Chieftaincy Family Estate has issued a security alert to residents, following the Okada ban.

In a letter to residents, dated May 18, 2022, the estate office quoting intelligence report, said the banned Okada riders were mobilising to “cause havoc anytime from now in Lekki”, a neighbouring community.

“Intelligence report reaching us is that following the raid on Okada riders and seizure of their bikes in Lekki Phase I, the riders believed the action was instigated by Lekki residents who are determined to take away their source of livelihood.

“To this end, there are plans to invade inner streets to cause havoc anytime from now in Lekki,” the letter which has been widely circulated read.

The letter further warned residents to be “extremely cautious” and cooperate with security guards at the estate gates, as similar security threat was experienced during the #EndSARS protest in 2020, when hooligans hijacked the peaceful protest and unleashed terror in Lekki and some parts of Oniru.

There has been a series of reactions after the killing of a sound engineer, David Imoh, who was beaten to pulp and set ablaze by some Okada riders in Lekki, following argument over N100 fare, on Monday.