Okada riders protest ban by Lagos govt

By BONIFACE  KALANWA
LAGOS— Commercial motorcyclists (Okada riders), Wednesday, took over the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, protesting the clampdown on their operations by the state government.

The motorcyclists, who argued that the ban would worsen their impoverished state, barricaded PWD end of the expressway in front of Sam Ethinam Air Force Base, Ikeja, thereby preventing road users easy passage. They also, made bonfires on the road.

Attempt by officials of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, and policemen to dislodge them met stiff resistance as the protesters said they were ready to die.

They only left after a reinforcement of policemen from Area F command, Ikeja, was drafted to the area

One of the riders, who identified himself as Adepoju Saaid said: “Government is not fair to us at all. What do they want us to eat? How do we take care of our families when they said we cannot work in Lagos? This is unfair and we are going to resist this.”

Another rider, Nnamdi said, “ Why would the government do this to the common people?”