It is a permanent ban on cycles, says Sanwo-Olu as Police arrest 24

Pain and distress is the lot of many trekking and stranded Lagosians as the Oyo State Government is fine-tuning laws to ban commercial motor-cycle and tricycle business in the State amidst rising concerns that those from Lagos may head that way and elsewhere.
But from the commercial capital city of Nigeria to its capital city, Abuja, where officials play hide and seek with recalcitrant commercial motor-cycle riders, the pain for commuters with no viable alternative, is incalculable. Many riders lament the loss of their source of income in worsening job markets.
The Oyo government plan continues as the Police from Ijora Badia, Area B Command, on Monday, arrested 24 suspects for blocking major roads in Ijora, Lagos following the recent ban of motorcycle (Okada) and tricycle (Keke) by the State Government.
This comes as Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has put his foot down that the riders, sent off major streets in Lagos State, are gone for good.
At the launch of eight locally manufactured speedboats and Lagferry operations mobile app of the state ferry services, Lagferry, held at Badore Ferry Terminal, Ajah, Sanwo-Olu said: “Let me tell you about the ban which we just enforced. We will sustain the ban on Okada and tricycles, mainly because of security and safety reasons. The security and safety of citizens are paramount to any government.
“We will continue to ensure the safety of our people on all fronts. There have been reports of serious security breaches and safety concerns in areas where these operators ply. We had to respond to these concerns because of life and safety matters to this government.”
There have been reports of deaths following violent clashes over the State Government’s decision.
The Lagos Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bala Elkana, in a statement said the arrested 24 suspects caused major obstructions on the roads, burning tyres, looting and stealing from unsuspecting road users.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the effect of the ban of Okada and Keke, in Lagos State began on Feb. 1.
Elkana said that the suspects came out in large numbers, armed with cutlasses around Ijora Oloye, Amusu, Ijora 7up, Ijora under bridge, Sifa junction and Gaskiya gangare area, all within Ijora Badia Division.
“Police Officers from Ijora Badia, Area B Command and Special Strike Force on Social Miscreants, were promptly deployed to the scenes.
“The situation was brought under control. The obstructions were cleared for free flow of traffic.
“No life was lost. 24 suspects were arrested. Investigation is ongoing and the suspects will be charged to Court,” he said.
Commuters in Lagos, Monday groan as commercial motorcyclists (Okada) and tricycle operators (Keke Marwa) clashed with the Police while protesting and resisting the ban on their operations by the Lagos State Government.
The Lagos State Government had last week announced the enforcement of the ban on the operations of Okada and Keke Marwa riders in 15 local government areas and local council development areas.
There was a serious clash and shooting at Ijora Olopa, with the police exchanging bullets with Okada and Keke Marwa riders.
The riders set up bonfires on the roads, making use of used tyres and rendered roads impassable.
Private cars, commercial vehicles and commuters ran helter-skelter
Areas boys or miscreants capitalised on the confusion to hijack the protest by the Okada riders
Additional reports by NAN