News

Mixed Reactions Trail Okada Business In Lagos

Published

4 years ago

May 4, 2022

Millions of residents of Lagos State ride on either private or commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, to their places of work on daily basis thus making it another common means of transportation.
It has indeed become an integral part of many because of its uniqueness in a city-state characterised by traffic snarl or ‘go slow’ fondly caused by visible and invisible reasons such as impatience on the part of drivers, bad roads, and autocrash on the major roads.
The Tide source sought reactions of the residents of Lagos State to the ‘menaces and merits of Okada business in Lagos’ and their comments and remarks were an admixture of sweet and sorrow.
Mr Boluwaji Olaiya, a resident of Ibafo in Ogun who works in the Gbagada Area of Lagos State said that he was fond of riding Okada from Ibafo to Berger, the boundary between Lagos and Ogun, so as to avoid the gridlock along that axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway during the working days of the week.
Olaiya said that in less than 30 minutes, he was always at Berger Bus Stop and that used to save him a lot of time, tear and wear as well as the stress passengers who boarded public uses usually encountered during ‘go slow’ on the express.
“ When the long bridge axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressroad was under construction, there were some of us that riding on Okada was the only means of getting to Lagos from Ibafo and its environs. The rider then was charging us N500.00 per passenger and he would transport two of us down on each trip.”
Also, Mr Dele Aboyeji, a building contractor living in Papa Asese area of Ogun and who has his office in the Surulere area of Lagos State said that on occasions when there were gridlock on the Lagos- Ibadan Expressway, Okada used to be his ‘saviour.
“I would mount it from Berger to Warewa in Ogun while returning home in the evening or going to work in the morning.
“There were times then that most passengers caught up in the traffic were robbed. That was a nasty experience which nobody will want to pray for,” Aboyeji said.
To Mr Oye Luquman, Okada is a thriving business and many able young men ride it as a means of livelihood and are today their families’ breadwinners. He added that its introduction as a means of transportation had helped in reducing unemployment in Lagos State.
He added that politicians always give out motorcycles to youths during political campaigns meaning that it had come to stay as part of the society’s means of making ends meet
According to Luquman, just as the youth use it for commercial purposes so also the elderly use it to transport their produce from the rural areas to the Expressway where they would find buyers for them.
Taiwo said that any motorcycle that is not registered would be confiscated by the command, adding that the command would meet the union leaders of the okada riders before enforcing all these directives.
Also speaking to NAN, the Chairman Ikorodu Local Government(LG), Mr Wasiu Adesina, said that the menace of commercial motorcycle was becoming a nightmare to the residents of Lagos and its numerical strength becoming more frightening as well as serving as a security risk to residents.
Adesina said due to the increase in insecurity, the local government leadership had to rejig its security architecture by initiating a joint taskforce and providing patrol vehicles for surveillance to ease movements of security personnel in all the communities within the LG.
Adesina said that the council had to also establish a taskforce during his first tenure to restrict the movements of motorcycles since he realised that most crimes were being perpetrated with the use of motorcycles for easy escape.
“ The taskforce was initiated to restrict motorcycle from some parks and routes but the outbreak of COVID–19 pandemic in 2020 and the subsequent challenges after easing the lockdown affected the work of the taskforce.
“They stopped work and later continue, so our work in curbing the menace is still ongoing,” he said.
However, sometime last year , the Lagos State Government announced some specified roads where it said that commercial motorcyclists were restricted from plying and warned that erring defaulters would be dealt with, he said. He urged the relevant security agencies to enforce thd rule.
The council boss said that the directive had led to some of them finding alternative routes and took solace in deploying their business in the rural areas of the state.
“We are still doing our work, we hold security meetings regularly to discuss security matters which include the menace caused by the influx of motorcycle into our local council area.
“We also discuss the way forward out of the crisis and come up with resolutions which I have been enforcing as the chairman to ensure that my people can sleep with their two eyes closed.
According to the chairman, the LG is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring safety of lives and properties, so we will not rest until Ikorodu is safe for investors and residents.
Also Mr Sesan Oduolowu, Chairman, Sheriff Community Development Association (CDA ) in Ikorodu, said that it had come to the knowledge of the residents that motorcycle was the common instrument used by criminals to escape after attacking innocent citizens.
Oduolowu said in this regard, most CDA chairmen had agreed to ensure that Okadas were not allowed to enter any community after 8.00 p.m. adding that some even made theirs 7.00p.m.
He said that they had jointly agreed that the communities should ensure that they handled the security of their various communities by themselves by hiring private guards to secure them.
“We hold our meetings every month and have agreed to engage ourselves on intelligence gathering as well as ensure that commercial motorcyclists are banned from entering the community in the evening time as well as hire private security guards on our own for the safety of our people,” he said.
Mr Owolabi Efunsanya, a resident in the CDA said that the increasing number of motorcycles was as a result of lack of job or unemployment with bad road and incessant traffic jam.
Efunsanya urged government as a major employer of labour to create employment opportunities and enabling environment for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s) to thrive to augment available opportunities.
He said that the government should focus more on ensuring that more youths were engaged rather than giving priorities to other sectors , while stressing that a lazy man’s brain is the devil’s workshop.
“Unemployment is a major cause of increase in crime because ‘an empty mind is a devil’s workshop’ if there is job, crime will be reduced.”
An officer with a transport union who pleaded anonymity said that government had a big role to play in checkmating the excesses caused by commercial motorcycle operators.
He said that accidents caused by Okada riders had sent some people to their early graves while some were still suffering from the injuries caused them that had led to the amputation of with their legs or other parts of their bodies.
He urged government to ban the importation of motorcycles into the country completely, saying they had become an important instrument used by hoodlums, bandits and terrorists to commit all sorts of crimes in the country.
Also, some residents of Fagbile Estate, Ijegun, a suburb of Lagos, said that some armed robbers under the guise of Okada riders had formed the habit of frequently attacking the residents of the estate
They told NAN in Lagos that they now live in fear due to the activities of suspected robbers.
They urged the relevant security forces to do all within their powers to crackdown on the motorbike robbers.
Mr Emmanuel Edun said that two robbery attacks occurred in the estate in a single morning alone recently.
According to him, a young lady was robbed of her handbag, containing some valuables along Fagbile Road in the early hours of that unfortunate day.
Edun said that the robbers usually attacked women in lonely corners where they would dispossess them of their cell phones, ATM cards and other valuables.
Another resident, Mr Bartho Philip, said that a young man was recently robbed of his motorcycle in the early hours of the day not long ago in Rotimi Omotosho Street.
According to him, three young men allegedly had been surveying the area with their motorbike apparently in search of their target.
“After ridding about for some time, they stopped at the intersection between Omotosho Street and Amoje Street.
“One of them came down from the bike and brought out what looked like a locally-made gun, pointed it at the owner of the bike, snatched it and took away the bike.
“ While this was going on, one of them started the bike that they came with while the second followed the guy with the gun and they all ride off,” Phillip said.
NAN gathered that the rider of the bike had collected it on higher purchase arrangement from its owner for N650, 000. (NAN)

News

Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

Published

4 days ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.

The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.

CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.

The students, led by Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.

According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.

The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.

Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.

He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.

Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.

The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.

He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.

CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.

He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.

Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.

The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.

The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.

According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.

The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.

Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.

He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.

CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.

News

College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates For 2027 Polls

Published

4 days ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.

International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.

Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.

He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.

Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.

He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.

“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.

Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.

Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.

He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.

According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.

Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.

The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.

Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.

By: John Bibor

News

Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

Published

4 days ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.

Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.

The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.

He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.

Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.

On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.

The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.

Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.

On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.

He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.

The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.

Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.

By; King Onunwor