Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on Tuesday announced the ban of commercial motorcycles in Ikpoba Okha, Oredo and Egor Local Governments.
Speaking after the day’s meeting of the State Security Council, he lamented the growing use of motorcycle riders to perpetrate kidnapping in the state.
“In fact, there are confirmed Okada riders who have been involved in kidnapping and other forms of violent crimes, including robbery,” he said.
“We have tried as a government over the years to take steps to counsel motorcycle riders to observe certain codes, to watch out and ensure that criminals do not infiltrate their ranks and hide under commercial vehicles to perpetrate crime. It is clear to me now that we have not been particularly successful. More and more riders have been found to be involved in various acts of violent crimes.”
Oshiomhole observed that due to the influx of bicycles from neighbouring states where their use has been prohibited, Edo has been witnessing a rise in the population of criminals posing as motorcycle riders.
“I am convinced that we cannot continue to allow this situation to continue. While I am very concerned about the fact of the level of unemployment in the country and in Edo state, we have our own fair share of unemployment,” he added.
“I am convinced that the long-term interest of job creation requires that you attract investors and investment to the state. It is a settled issue that investors will not be in a hurry to go to any state where crime has risen beyond acceptable levels.
“Therefore, everything considered, we have resolved as a government, effective from Monday next week [that] bike riders will not be allowed to operate in any part of Oredo, Ikpoba Okha and Egor Local Government Areas. These three local governments constitute the heart of Benin City. The law enforcement agencies have been informed accordingly and directed to strictly enforce this law.”
Oshiomhole also lamented that aside of the use of motor cycles for crime, majority of accident patients in hospitals are there for motorcycle-related crashes.
“We cannot continue like this. I therefore reached the painful conclusion that it is time to do something and we cannot postpone it further,” he said.
“I am not in doubt that there are many okada riders who are not criminals and they have no criminal intentions. I am also convinced that there are many okada riders who are into legitimate business. Unfortunately, there isn’t any mechanism for us to distinguish criminals who are also bike operators and decent citizens who are doing their very best to cope with the rigours of life. This is just one sacrifice we all have to make to make our state safer.”
