‘Citizens’ Collaboration, Vital to Curbing Okada Riders’ Excesses’

The Divisional Police Officer, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) -Harmony Police Division, Superintendent Ademola Ijiehin, has called for collaboration between members of the public and security operatives to curb the excesses of bike riders, popularly called ‘Okada riders’, to restore sanity in society. He said Nigerians should endeavour to report any Okada rider seen riding recklessly to the appropriate security agency for proper action to be taken. SP Ijiehin gave the charge while featuring on FUNAAB Radio 89.5FM live interactive programme, Boiling Point. According to him, motorcycle is a good means of transportation if people could abide by road traffic rules, saying there should be legislation with stipulated punishments for erring riders.
The DPO reiterated that Okada riders constituted a lot of menace by wreaking havoc, adding that Nigerians should be security conscious while boarding bikes. “We need more hands to drastically reduce the menace to the barest minimum, if not totally eradicated for us to have a better and safe road. Let us continually address all the irregularities that the riders are doing and riders union should continue to sensitise their people on the dangers involved in reckless riding. They (the riders) know the right thing to do, but they don’t want to do it until they are forced to or arrested. Some of them ride their bikes carelessly without considering motorists and other road users”, he stated further.