The Ticking Okada Bomb in Lagos

* 3 Major okada-related violence clahes in Lagos within 8 months

* Chadians, Nigeriens and Malians among okada riders invading Lagos in high volumes.

As Nigerians wait for a possible Lagos State Government report on the ethnic and communal clash at Mile 12 and Agiliti environs, the deadly fracas that claimed many lives and properties, so far, fingers lawlessness of commercial motorcyclists known as okada riders in the state.

Policemen taking control during the Mile 12 clash. PHOTO BY EMMANUEL OSODI

In fact, the Mile 12 clash, which occurred on Thursday, March 3, and pitted Hausas against their Yoruba host community was the third of three major okada-related violence fracas that had claimed lives and property in Lagos in the last eight to nine months. On each occasion, the lawlessness of okada riders have been the caused of violence that led to loss of lives and property.

  In October last year, okada riders had violence confrontation with policemen in Ajao Estate, near Lagos International Airport (here).

 Before the Ajao estate fracas, reports had it that group of okada riders had engaged policemen in gun battle at Festac (here).

  But the Mile 12 clash appears to be the most deadly, suggesting that okada riders have become stronger than the government. In fact, the violence, according to several newspapers reports, started after an okada rider who rode against traffic knocked down a pedestrian. After the victim died in hospital, it led to ethnic clashes between the Yoruba and Hausa in the Agiliti areas.

 Despite imposition of curfew and closure of the Mile 12 market by Gov Ambode,, repor by Vanguard, three days after, says “kilings continued at Agiliti”  here .

 Wit the increasing number of okada riders in Lagos State, investigations reveal that foreigners, mostly from Niger, Chad and Malians who have violence characteristics are among the motorcyclists. More worrisome, enforcement of restrictions of okada riders to the routes recommended by the Lagos Trafic Lawas 2012 seemed to have been relaxed under Gov Akinwunmi Ambode-led government.

  

Few weeks ago, an Okada rider going against  traffic along Simbiat Abiola Road, Ikeja, Lagos

  

With three major violence clashed caused by okada riders across Lagos under nine months, Lagosians need to be prepared for more to come except the Lagos State Government rise up to the challenge and nip the lawlessness of okada riders in the bud.

  Accros Lagos, the increasing lawlessness of okada riders have been unprecedented: on Ikorodu Road, okada riders are 'lords', riding on BRT corridors and against traffic; along Agege-Motor Road and Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, okada riders who ride against trafic have been alleged to have caused injuries and deaths of many pedestrians; and inside the streets of Lagos, okada riders and causing chaotic traffic jams at major junctions that lead to expressways.