By Michael Ofulue

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Despite the directive of the Ondo State Government banning commercial motorcyclists from operating beyond 7pm, some Okada riders still operate till 12 midnight, The Hope Metro finding has revealed.
Our correspondent who visited Arakale, Isolo, Ijoka, Oluwatuyi and Oba-Ile respectively saw some of them operating beyond the stipulated time without being apprehended by security operatives.
Meanwhile, the State Government has sounded a note of warning to the motorcycles’ operators who still flout the government’s directive, stating that anybody caught operating beyond the stipulated time of 7pm daily would be arrested and prosecuted.
It will be recalled that the State Government had banned motorcycle operators otherwise called ‘Okada’ from operating beyond 7pm.
The directive of the government was premised on reported cases of violent crimes being perpetrated by some suspected hoodlums disguising as genuine Okada rider in the state.
Speaking with The Hope Metro in a telephone interview over the development, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo said the law banning Okada from operating beyond the stipulated hour is still in full force.
He disclosed that there was never a time when the government relaxed the earlier directive prohibiting Okada operators from working beyond the stipulated hours adding measures are on to arrest and impound motorbike of those floating the Order.
His words: “There was never a time the government relaxed the Law. The Law is in full force and relevant security agencies have been mandated to deal with those disobeying the government directive.
” As I speak with you now, there are already measures and means being mapped out to apprehend the defaulters and brought them to book but we cannot disclose our plans to the public yet. I can assure you that very soon you will see our action.
We have mandated the security agencies to check the activities of Okada riders in the state especially Akure metropolis, and I do know that they are doing their best in with order and directive of the government,” he stated.
Dojumo, while saying hard times await defiant Okada operators, hinted that by the time the government starts dealing with them, they would realise that disobedient to lawful order is a crime against the state.
He appealed the law-abiding citizens to go about their lawful and legitimate businesses unmolested as government is determined to guarantee their safety.
He, however urged the general public to be security conscious and report any strange movement of people to the appropriate security authorities for onward action.
The Hope Metro investigation revealed that some of the heinous crime committed in the state were carried out by some persons suspected to be motorbike riders, who usually disguise as genuine Okada operators in the state.