Lagos State Task Force Impounds 196 Motorcycles
The operatives of the Lagos State Task Force with officials of Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) on Tuesday impounded 196 motorcycles, saying the 72 riders arrested will be prosecuted at Lagos Mobile Court, Oshodi, and Lagos Island.
The chairman of the Lagos Taskforce, Egbeyemi Olayinka, a Superintendent of Police (SP) said the enforcement operations was jointly carried out based on series of complaints from innocent members of the public on criminal activities perpetuated by the motorcycle riders, operators around 2nd Rainbow, Festac and Mile 2 areas.
“Investigation conducted by the agency revealed that activities of these motorcycle riders/operators were on the increased as they terrorized innocent members of the public both day and night by dispossessing them of their valuables such as phone, jewelries and bags.
“It further revealed that these motorcycle riders, operators around these areas were responsible for series of attacked on vehicles owners/drivers whenever there is traffic at night around Mile 2 Bridge towards Festac.”
Egbeyemi advised motorcycle riders, operators to properly screened out criminals amongst their members and educate others to stop plying any of the restricted 475 routes which includes highways and bridges across the state.
He enjoined private power bike users whose motorcycles are 200cc above to warn their dispatched riders to stop engaging in illegal commercial activities as anyone caught violating any sections of the Lagos State Road Traffic Laws of 2012 would be prosecuted.
Egbeyemi, confirmed that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police CP, Edgal Imohimi, has directed that all those arrested during the operations be immediately charge to court for prosecutions.
A resident who simply identified himself as Engineer Damilola Okanlawon said majority of the motorcycle riders plying restricted routes, “could hardly speak and do not even understand English.”
He added that many of them migrated from neighboring countries to Lagos without any legitimate means of livelihood other than using motorcycle to commit crime.
