#Features #Hope Metro

Amotekun impounds scores of ‘Okada’

By Tola Gbadamosi &Michael Ofulue

Defiant okada riders who have defied the restriction order by the Ondo State government restricting their operation from 6a.m. to 6p.m. are now in trouble.
The Hope reliably learnt that many motorcycles have been impounded by men of Amotekun from the restriction breakers.
The flagrant disobedience by the okada riders reportedly compelled government to direct the state Security Agency to act decisively.
Our correspondent learnt that many motorcycles seized from the restriction breakers were seen at the Agency’s Headquarters, yesterday.
The okadas in various shapes were said to have been impounded from those seen operating in the metropolis around 8p.m. to 10p.m. in flagrant violation of the restriction.
In a chat with The Hope Metro, the state Commander of Amotekun Corps, Mr Adeleye Olatunji, decried the disobedience exhibited by some okada riders despite the announcements made on radio and television banning motorcycles from operating beyond the stipulated time of 6pm.
“We have started impounding the motorcycles of the defaulters who were found to have been operating after the stipulated time, because many of them were still violating the government order.
“We have gone round with megaphone on our patrol vehicles to remind them to stop working beyond 6pm. But most of them were adamant and we have no choice than to start impounding their motorcycles.
“We give them three hours of grace before we begin to move round at about 8 pm daily and yet some of them were still caught operating till 11pm, ” he stated.
The Amotekun boss, who warned that his men would continue to impound violators’ bikes in the state, said all efforts were being geared towards ensuring peace in the land.
In a related development, lawmakers in the Ondo State House of Assembly have frowned at the flagrant disobedience of government’s order by Okada operators in the state.
Chairman, ad-hoc Committee on Information in the state House of Assembly, Hon Akongun Olugbenga Omole, said the upsurge in crime across the state, culminating in loss of lives and property forced the restriction of okada operations to 6pm daily.
”We want to use this medium to appeal to Okada riders in Ondo State to please, in the interest of the security of lives and property of our people obey the restriction order.”
The lawmakers, therefore, warned that any further violation of the government’s order will attract severe penalty, as law enforcement agents are on hand to bring violators to book.
Two persons were killed and many houses robbed in Akure yet by hoodlums who operated on motorcycles.
The first incident happened at Sijuwade area, where a business man was killed, while the second incident occurred at Ologede area along Oda road where an Okada rider was killed in a similar circumstance.
Reports also had it that many people had been shot in various robbery attacks in Akure in the last one month and despite the worrisome situation, the police has refused to return to duty.
The state security Agency Amotekun, has, however, taken up the challenge by patrolling all the nooks and crannies of the state to ensure safety.

Share
Related News  Ondo residents commend Amotekun over recovery of vehicle, phones, other items

1 die, 5 injured in Osun crash

Edo 2020: Ondo assures athletes, officials better

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *