Okada Riders Protest Lagos Traffic Law, Vandalize 10 BRT Buses

Not less than 10 Bus Rapid Transport, BRT,
vehicles were yesterday vandalized by protesting
commercial motorcycle operators at Onipanu,
along Ikorodu Road as they protest the
enforcement of the Lagos Road Traffic Law.
The Lagos State House of Assembly expressed
concern over increasing lawlessness of
commercial operators in the state following the
violent protest, and threatened to outrightly ban
their activities if they refused to conform to the
Traffic Law.
The violent protest which yesterday caused
pandemonium and left many commuters
stranded at various bus stops on the busy road
and adjoining ones may not be unconnected to
the aggressive enforcement of the Traffic Law in
accordance with the order of the state
Commissioner of Police.
The protest also had its toll on traffic as heavy
traffic was witnessed along Ikorodu Road and
others.
The Police Commissioner had earlier issued a
marching order to Divisional Police Officers,
DPOs, in the state to mobilize their men for
enforcement of the Road Traffic Law due to the
disobedience of the Okada riders. Several
motorcycles were impounded in the process.
Due to this development, the entire Awolowo
Road up to Secretariat, Aluasa, was deserted by
the motorcycle operators.
The angry and aggrieved Okada operators were
reported to have stormed the dedicated BRT Bus
Stop as early as 9:00a.m, denouncing the
enforcement of the law on 475 roads in the state,
indiscriminate arrests and alleged extortion by
men of the Nigeria police and Lagos State Traffic
Management Authority. .
The protesters were said to have pelted every
BRT vehicle they came across at Onipanu with
stones and other dangerous weapons without
considering the safety of over 50 passengers
onboard.
The new Lagos Road Traffic Law which among
other things prohibits the operation of
commercial motorcycles on 475 Lagos roads was
signed into law by Governor Babatunde Fashola
on August 3.