TheCable

Members of Ajao Estate Residents Association in Oshodi Isolo local government area of Lagos state have protested the exclusion of their area from the ban on commercial motorcycles and tricycles.

The state government had restricted commercial motorcycles and tricycles  in 15 local councils, with effect from February 1.

This had sparked different reactions, with many criticising the government for not making alternative plans for those who would be affected by the ban.

But during a protest in Ikeja, on Thursday, the residents lamented over issues of security breach and rowdiness by motorcycle operators.

Gboyega Akosile, governor’s spokesman, shared a video of the protesters, in a tweet.

“Ajao estate residents association this afternoon stormed our office to protest exclusion of their area from the list of restricted zones for Okada and Keke NAPEP. They want Govt to include Ajao Estate in the list, saying NO to Okada and Keke in Ajao Estate,” the tweet read.

Ajao estate residents association this afternoon stormed our office to protest exclusion of their area from the list of restricted zones for Okada and Keke NAPEP. They want Govt to include Ajao Estate in the list, saying NO to Okada and Keke in Ajao Estate. pic.twitter.com/ePBK2JjVTF

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— Gboyega Akosile (@gboyegaakosile) January 30, 2020

“They are not even living in the estate. They have no houses there. They come from Ejigbo through the road that has recently been built to enter Ajao estate,” one of the protesters said.

“It is from there that they enter, rob and escape from there. And to make things worse, just few days ago when the announcement to ban them was made, they have been rushing again, looking for houses to live with their okadas. So the place is already crowded.”

Martins Adegboyega, chairman of the community association, who led the protest, said the decision to call for the inclusion of the area in the list of motorcycle restricted zone was taken unanimously.

Leo Ikeagwu, the residents’ legal adviser, submitted a petition to Sanwo-Olu on the issue.

“Our Estate has been taken over by criminals in the guise of okada riders. Their activities had been banned in the Estate since 2015 after they engaged the police in a fight. These criminal elements are back in our community in full force,” the petition read.

“We have watched helplessly the influx of okada riders, who, to our dismay, now block the entrance into Ajao Estate from Ejigbo, causing heavy traffic jam and security breaches. Bag snatching is now on the increase and pedestrians are now in fear.

“It is worthy to note that an eight-year-old boy was recently kidnapped by some criminal elements who used okada to operate. But, for the quick intervention of some vigilant security guards, who blocked the entrance gate; it would have been different story entirely.

“All residents of Ajao Estate can no longer sleep with their eyes closed as a result of fear. Those who return from their various work places at night are no longer safe. We humbly request an immediate action that will be put in place to continuously check this influx of okada riders, so that we can be at peace once again.

“The residents, in a meeting with the Local Government chairman and our House of Representatives member, agreed that okada riders should not be allowed into Ajao Estate again to curb further criminal activities. We want to state that shuttle buses and Keke NAPEP are in place to convey passengers from the Airport Road to Ejigbo Link Bridge to and fro. Okada riders have no business whatsoever in Ajao Estate.”