Lagos bans Okada, Tricycle riders in 15 LGs/LCDAs

Lagos government announces fresh route ban, restrictions against Okada, Keke Marwa

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Lagos State Government has banned okada and tricycle riders in six Local Governments and nine Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs, of the state.

The councils are: Apapa LG, Apapa Iganmu LCDA, Lagos Mainland LG , Yaba LCDA, Surulere LG, Itire-Ikate, LCDA, Coker-Aguda LCDAs, Ikeja LG, Onigbongbo LCDAs, Ojodu LCDAs, Eti-Osa LG, Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, Iru/Victoria Island LCDAs, Lagos Island LG and Lagos Island East LCDA.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, in a statement on Monday said after a robust assessment of the debate on what has been widely referred to as the Motorcycle (Okada) and Tricycle (Keke) Menace, the Lagos State Government and the State Security Council had decided that the security and safety of lives of Lagosians were paramount.

“The figures are scary. From 2016 to 2019, there were over 10,000 accidents recorded at the General Hospitals alone. This number excludes unreported cases and those recorded by other hospitals. The total number of deaths from reported cases is over 600 as at date.

“The rate of crimes aided by Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) keeps rising. Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) are also used as getaway means by criminals.

“Therefore, after consultations with stakeholders, the State Security Council, in compliance with the extant Transport Sector Reform Law 2018, has decided to commence enforcement of the law which bans the operation of Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) in the following Local Governments (LGs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs): Apapa LG and Apapa Iganmu LCDA; Lagos Mainland LG and Yaba LCDA; Surulere LG, Itire-Ikate and Coker-Aguda LCDAs; Ikeja LG, Onigbongbo and Ojodu LCDAs; Eti-Osa LG, Ikoyi-Obalende and Iru/Victoria Island LCDAs; Lagos Island LG and Lagos Island East LCDA,” he said.

The commissioner said the full enforcement would begin on February 1, 2020, adding that this was the first stage of the State Government’s plan to sanitize roads and protect Lagosians from the negative effects of these illegal modes of transportation.

“The Law is very clear. Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) are banned on all highways, bridges and the listed roads,” he added.

Also, Okada and tricycles have been banned from major highways and bridges: These include:

1. Lagos-Ibadan Expressway
2. Apapa-Oshodi Expressway
3. Oworonshoki-Oshodi Expressway
4. Lagos-Ikorodu Expressway
5. Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway
6. Eti-Osa/Lekki-Epe Expressway
7. Lagos-Badagry Expressway
8. Funsho Williams Avenue
9. Agege Motor Road
10. Eti-Osa Lekki Coastal Road

Bridges

1. Iyana- Ipaja Bridge Agege
2. Dopemu Bridge Agege
3. Airport/Ikeja Bridge
4. Agege Motor road/oshodi Loop, Oshodi
5. Mushin/Isolo Link Bridge
6. Dorman Long Bridge
7. Ojuelegba Bridge
8. National Stadium Flyover
9. Apapa-Iganmu Bridge
10. Apapa-Ijora Link Bridge
11. Liverpool Bridge, Apapa
12. Mile 2 Bridge-Loop, Amuwo-Odofin
13. Okota (cele)/Ijesha Link Bridge
14. Apakun/Apapa-Oshodi Bridge Network
15. Ikorodu Road/Anthony Clover leaf Bridge
16. Trade Fair Flyover Bridge
17. Festac/Amuwo-Odofin Link Bridge
18. 2 Flyover Bridges along Alhaji Masha Road
19. Ojota Clover leaf Bridge
20. Ogudu Bridge
21. 3rd Mainland Bridge
22. Maryland flyover
23. Ikeja General Hospital Flyover Bridge
24. Kodesoh Bridge, Oba Akran, Ikeja
25. Opebi Link Bridge
26. Sheraton-Opebi Bridge
27. Jibowu/Yaba flyover Bridge
28. Carter Bridge, Lagos
29. Bariga-Ifako Bridge
30. Apapa-Oshodi Expressway/Alapere Bridge
31. Bariga/Oworonsoki Bridge
32. Apapa-Oshodi Expressway/Gbagada U-Turn
33. Apapa-Oshodi Expressway
34. 3rd Mainland/Oworonsoki Bridge
35. Eko Bridge
36. Apongbon flyover Bridge
37. Cowry Bridge (Officers Mess)
38. Mcwen Bridge (Bonny Camp)
39. Marina/Ikoyi Bridge
40. Ikoyi/Obalende Bridge

The commissioner said the law enforcement agents had been directed that with effect from February 1, 2020, there would be Zero Tolerance for Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) in (on) the listed Local Governments, highways and bridges.

“Members of the public are hereby notified that all offenders and violators will be dealt with in accordance with the Law,” he said.

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25 Comments

Abduhamed munirat says:

February 18, 2020 at 9:28 pm

baning of motorcycle/ tricycle is wrong because people who do not have any other work that is the only way for them to survive and most of them they have family that they take care of ,and this banning of motorcycle has made it more difficult for them to
survive. They like white collar jobs, but most of them are not educated , and most companies in lagos,and other states always require certificates.

If they are jobless and have family to take care, they start stealing,killing, money ritual, child abuse and a lot of other things to survive.

Adeoti says:

February 4, 2020 at 12:01 pm

Yes,the Lagos state govt.analysis is correct,but its decision was not well-timed.Look: 1.over one-third of commuters in Lagos state make use of kekek and okada everyday. 2.Keke and okada are basic means of livelihood for their operators. 3.Most unemployed graduates have taken up this as a means of survival. 4.What will happens to those operators affected by this ban?However, for the state government to be to implement such a ban successfully,it ought to have considered the following:
1.Are the roads in good shape. 2.What alternative means of transportation that will cushion the vacuum to be created by this ban. 3.Corporate entity that had invested a great deal into this business,what is their plight?
4.How does the govt. want to provide jobs for those will be affected by the ban? 5.How will the govt. check-mate the self-fish desire of the NURTW in hiking transport fare? And lastly,it is an agenda that should be implemented over a period of time.
Thank you.

Timilehin Omolere says:

February 2, 2020 at 1:17 pm

The banning of okada and tricycles (Keke) is not a good idea for now. More than 1/3 of the population of people who live in Lagos State travel short distances by the use of okada or keke. The price of these means of transportation is more convenient for the people than making use of Uber or bolt. Nowadays the cost of living in Lagos State is high,in the aspect of transportation the government is trying his best by introducing the BRT as a form of long distance transportation, but it doesn’t drop us at the doorstep of our destination.
sometimes the time taken to reach a short distance destination takes a lot of time hereby we get to our destinations late.
There are some emergency situation which may require the use of okada or keke.
My advice to the government is that by the banning of okada or keke he is either trying to make people stranded or trying to make people stay at home and restrict their movement. It will also cause unemployment which leads to even more security risks to the state.
My advice to the Lagos State government is to is relief the banning of okada or keke in Lagos State until things get better a little for the citizens of the state.

Odion says:

January 31, 2020 at 11:37 pm

Do u no how many people have died in motor accident on our roads due to bad road?is government going to stop the use of cars because of that? On Lagos Benin express road, do you know how many lives we have lost on that road? Why not tell the govt to stop the use of cars on that road. Accidents on Kaduna-Abuja road every time . Why not tell the govt to close that road, Why is it that anything that the poor rely on is always the problem of the rich?

Lawal Ridwan says:

January 31, 2020 at 11:20 pm

Lawal Ridwan says: banning of Okada’s and Keke Napep in Lagos city will definitely cause commotion and problem in the state because many of those operators are family men paying school fees and rent. What’s the alternative work for these people, because suffering is not an easy task for a state of living and if majority of them are jobless, Lagos is turning to a dead point. The rich people are not safe and the poor will continue suffering. Let’s think of the outcome of this action. God bless Nigeria. God bless Lagos state……

BIDEMI says:

February 1, 2020 at 8:56 pm

Definitely it will affect a lot, if the struggle is too much, there will be child trafficking,robbery and lot of different issues on ground, as a citizen it not okay enough, keke does not create seens,accident can never stop in Lagos, because it cause by people on it on, likewise today a truck hit a danfo man, cars hit cars, so I think all we need is security and not banned of keke.

Olawale Ibrahim says:

January 29, 2020 at 1:24 pm

Good steps for Gov, but never compare Lagos State with FCT Abuja, where the FCT just suddenly banned Keke Marwa without providing any alternative transportation. I think this may affect Lagos economy in one way or the other….I do wish our Governor best of luck.

Lincoin says:

January 28, 2020 at 9:30 pm

Nice one. Okada should leave the highway n operate within the secondary road. I was robbed last yr August in between Alakija and agboju inside my car, those guy came through BRT line on bike, after collecting all collectables from me and my colleague. The useless robber shot my colleague. Sprays my car with bullets. Please let them go back to their State.

Tim says:

January 28, 2020 at 5:07 pm

VERY GOOD DECISION , THE SOCIETY CAN NOT MAKE PROGRESS THINKING BACKWARD , IF THIS IS NOT DONE NOW A TIME WILL COME WHEN VEHICLES CAN NOT MOVE ON THE HIGHWAYS ! OKADA AND TRICYCLES CAN OPERATE ON THE MINOR ROADS , MOST OF THEIR OPERATORS ARE VERY RECKLESS , IGNORANT OF THEIR ACTIONS AND SUICIDAL IN CONDUCT.

Idera Kay says:

January 28, 2020 at 3:49 pm

it is a laudable step in stamping out the menace of “okada” riders on our roads . I do congratulate the government for taking this bold step . Let them step up by rapidly improving the road network and hasten the monorail plans to aid in faster transportation to fill the vacuum left by the Okada riders who will join the jobless masses on the road

Aliagwu Matthew says:

January 28, 2020 at 1:22 pm

I think the governor and the advisers miss it by taking this action without the corresponding alternatives for these group of people. No doubt, akada and tricycle riders have become a nuisance on the road and means of transportation for the criminals
. To me, it could have been a gradual process. It wasn’t a problem created one day, so for the government to take one day to find solutions is creating more problems. Those who are the affected, what do you want them to do? They have family who depends on them. My advice is for the government to reconsider phase process instead of this fire brigade approach which will create more serious social problem.
Ogun state, are you ready to take these people in your state with the attendance consequences.?

John says:

January 28, 2020 at 11:23 am

Once a Keke driver told me that scratching of peoples car is what they enjoy most in their business, since vehicle owners always use their vehicles to oppress them. He said when they scratch you, you cant notice and when you notice, you can’t get them no matter how experienced you are in driving. Now on my street alone, I know many foreigners from Chad, Niger and Cameroun who came into the country as security guards, who after collecting few months salaries buy Okada and start okada business. 70% of the Okada riders at Ojodu Berger axis are not from Nigeria. They’re from northern Cameroon and Niger and Chad where they speak Hausa. And they mostly carry knives and daggers in their Keke Napep. This people if not stopped are a dangerous breed waiting to explode in Lagos. Not to mention the high level of deaths and accidents caused by them.

Bidemi says:

February 1, 2020 at 8:42 pm

That a big lie, if it on ojodu axis, it is rare, you can only find such people in ikeja axis, with this suitation on ground, I can bet it there will be different violent and robbery now, because I notice in that area it rare you hear something like robbery, but now an idle man is in the devil workshop, keke accident is very rare unlike opay riders, there are so areas and estate the buses can’t reach but it helps, ojodu axis does not have issues at all because the road is narrow enough, where do you expect those young and some graduate guys to work, even the lonely women’s, why is there DEMOCRACY, they are not satisfying we lagostian and at the same time punishing us, how are we going to cope with the working days and traffic.

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January 28, 2020 at 4:55 am

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Bond, James says:

January 27, 2020 at 9:28 pm

Not all motorcycles are commercial motorcycle, some are privately owned, and some are for delivery purposes DHL, UPS). The government did not make exceptions, could this be an oversight?

Gbadegeshin Emmanuel says:

January 27, 2020 at 6:23 pm

Did you have jobs to offer them cause they have family to feed and house rent to Fix, after you will be saying Nigerian youth were lazy, you just want to disorganised Lagos state Tinubu and others Lagos state government did not do it these way if not you won’t be were you are sitting also all those bike riders votes for you instead of you to place law and guidelines for them you are sitting down there then planning to destroy their future but remember that tables turn also the tummy they feed daybyday we not forgive you because you can’t provide for their ends need, have the fear of God and remember your generation because nothing last forever.

Olododo says:

January 27, 2020 at 10:33 pm

Nobody can satisfy you people. When they do, you complain and when They don’t, you complain. These Okadas riders are menaces on our roads. They are mostly non Nigerians that can’t read highway codes. They have taken over Lagos and are very violent. If they hit you, you are in trouble bcos they have policemen in their pockets. They came from somewhere and was doing something before, let them go back to what they were doing. Let us encourage men in government when they do good. Kudos to Sanwo-olu for this. Let them stay in their home states to ride okada. Thank you.
Chris says:

January 28, 2020 at 6:05 am

Okada is a dangerous form of business even for the okada rider. It is not safe. Are you so short sighted? No major city in Africa uses okada or molue anymore. Lagos is still a back water slum.
Cakculus says:

January 28, 2020 at 8:59 am

Sentiment and undue sympathy will make things worse .please must they be on express before they can make money? Other states have enforced this and people are not dying because okada is not allowed. I will only appeal to the govt to fix the roads and do link roads for traffic to flow ,this will enable people move easily .let us call a spade a spade the okada riders are lawless ,reckless ,and don’t appreciate live of their own and others they don’t care about other road users I think they can work in less risky areas .

Imanika says:

January 27, 2020 at 5:22 pm

During electoral campaign, you baught helmet for the okada riders and after winning, you will collect the okada from them. What happens to other hit and run drivers on the road, what have you put in place to arrest them, how about other places not listed, does it mean that there are no crimes, or accidents there? When we have leaders without vision, these are what we will always earn. Is there any administration in lagos without this same style of leadership? What have you put in place to replace the riders of these bikes? And you think crimes will not be on increase? God is watching you all.

Eddie says:

January 28, 2020 at 12:48 pm

Can you please tell me who makes laws between the government and her citizens? If your govt makes the law,it’s your duty either to challenge it in the law court or comply. Are you now telling me that people who are dieing because of reckless riding of Okada guys deserve it? If you don’t think before you talk,it’s not good for you

Dr. Peter Ejirika, CPA , Scholarly Practitioner and Adjunct Professor says:

January 27, 2020 at 5:18 pm

Amala Commissioner, did you provide alternative means of transportation and jobs for the operators of these vehicles?

Abi says:

January 27, 2020 at 6:22 pm

Why don’t you go and provide the alternative jobs.?
Wale Bolodeoku says:

January 28, 2020 at 7:19 am

These appellations you gave yourself is enough to provide jobs to ten thousand people. Haba, iwo nikan tan? (You alone?)