Certainly, most Lagos motorists are by now aware of the increasing number of criminal attacks on motorists and passengers alike, in private vehicles during peak traffic periods in several parts of Lagos.
The assailants typically target occupants of vehicles, forcing them at gunpoint and other dangerous weapons, including razor blade, to part with cash and other valuables such as handbags, wallets, jewelry, mobile phones, laptops, etc.
Sometimes, these hoodlums could be violent, and carry out their act in a smash-and-grab tactic, leaving their victims confused and enveloped in fear. They attack and even break windshields, or side windows of vehicles in an attempt to intimidate and rob motorists of their belongings.
They are armed and could escalate the violence if they are resisted. They often operate in groups of two or more under the guise of street hawkers and beggars to prospect for potential victims in traffic situations.
Although there is a deliberate effort by the Police in Lagos State to increase presence of officers and men on Lagos roads, especially, around the known hot-spots or flash-points during peak-traffic period, in an attempt to mitigate criminal activities and save motorists this nightmare, but still largely, a lot need to be done.
For instance, some of the areas where these incidents have become a recurring decimal include Mile 2, Trade Fair Complex, Ijora, Marina, CMS, Costain, Surulere, Mushin, Abule Egba, Iju Road, Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway, Ojota and Oshodi. The hoodlums usually operate between the hours of 4.00am and 6.30am, and 7.00pm and 11.00pm.
The Commissioner of Police (CP), Lagos State Police Command, Fatai Owoseni, said in a chat recently, “it has become imperative to warn all commercial motorcycle operators a.k.a Okada, in the state that acts of brazen impunity and criminality usually displayed by some of their members on the streets of Lagos shall no longer be tolerated”.
The Police also said the Force shall henceforth stand-up against bike-riders who display unruly behaviour whenever there is any misunderstanding between them and any member of the public or any law enforcement agent including the police.
“Consequently, it has been observed that commercial motorcycle operators have become laws unto themselves and act in manners detrimental to law and order, and in total disregard to rights of other citizens.
“ The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command wishes to use this medium to warn Okada operators in the state to desist from these acts of lawlessness, criminalities and wanton destruction of lives and property as repeat of the above mentioned unruly behaviours shall be visited with the full weight of the law”, the police said in a statement.
