By Kayode Olabanji
For many commercial motorcyclists in Akure, the Ondo State capital, every passenger represents an opportunity to earn a living. Also, every passenger also represents a potential danger.
What was once regarded as an isolated criminal act has gradually evolved into a disturbing trend, as motorcycle thieves continue to target commercial riders, popularly known as okada operators, across different parts of the metropolis.
Several riders who spoke with THE HOPE recounted painful experiences of how criminals posing as passengers dispossessed them of their motorcycles. Some were attacked at gunpoint, while others were threatened with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons, leaving them injured, traumatised and, in many cases, trapped in debt.
A costly encounter
One of the victims, Mr Sola Memoriola, said Moments “I thought I was carrying ordinary passengers. “They asked me to take them to a secluded area along Oda Road in Akure. Suddenly, one of them brought out a gun and ordered me to stop. Before I knew what was happening, they took my motorcycle and disappeared.”
According to him, the motorcycle had been acquired through a hire-purchase arrangement. He stated that the owner initially bought it for about N400,000, he eventually paid over N1.2 million in instalments before taking full ownership.
“I had just completed the payment barely two weeks before the motorcycle was stolen. It was a terrible experience,” he said.
The incident left him financially stranded.
“I could not recover from the shock for weeks. Eventually, I had to secure another motorcycle through another hire-purchase arrangement. The motorcycle will cost me N2.6 million in instalments, and I am expected to pay N30,000 weekly. If I default, the owner can repossess it.”
Memoriola explained that before venturing into commercial motorcycle operations, he worked with a wood-processing company in Okitipupa before government policies affected the company’s operations.
“I had no choice but to become an okada rider. I have a family to cater for. Now I have to work tirelessly for almost two years to complete the payment while still feeding my family,” he lamented.
He described the current economic situation as worsening the plight of riders.
“There is hardly enough money in circulation. Passenger traffic has reduced significantly. Many people now prefer trekking short distances or using tricycles because they are cheaper. Yet our obligations continue to increase.”
Pointing to his palms, he added, “Look at my hands. Years of riding have taken a toll on me. The job is difficult, but we have no alternative.”
A narrow escape
As if losing one motorcycle was not enough, Memoriola said he narrowly escaped another robbery attempt recently.
He recalled carrying two passengers on his new motorcycle when he noticed an object repeatedly pressing against his back.
“At first, I thought it was accidental, but later I realised it was a gun hidden inside a crossbody bag carried by one of the passengers,” he said.
According to him, the suspects were conversing in the Ikale dialect, unaware that he understood the language.
“One of them asked the other what was wrong with me because I kept shifting on the seat. I immediately responded in Ikale, telling them that the object in the bag was poking me.”
“The unexpected response stunned the passengers.
“They were surprised and asked where I came from. I told them I was from Irele and even mentioned my street. One of them said he knew the area.
“Before they left, one of them looked at me and said, ‘Thank God you understand our language. It saved you today.”
That was how I escaped what could have been another robbery attack,” he narrated
The experience, he said, reinforced the fear many riders now live with daily.
“Today, carrying passengers requires prayer. We are constantly afraid of becoming victims,” he said.
He appealed to security agencies to intensify efforts to tackle the menace.
Another rider, Mr Emmanuel Olaotan, recounted how he narrowly escaped death after falling into the hands of armed robbers.
“They pretended to be passengers travelling to a nearby community. When we got to a lonely road, they ordered me to stop. One of them brought out a cutlass and threatened to kill me if I resisted. I had no choice but to surrender the motorcycle,” he said.
Criminal networks suspected
Investigations by The Hope indicate that stolen motorcycles are often moved quickly to neighbouring states or dismantled and sold as spare parts, making recovery extremely difficult.
Some riders believe the criminals operate in organised networks involving informants who identify vulnerable targets and buyers who readily purchase stolen motorcycles.
The growing threat has forced many operators to avoid carrying passengers to remote areas, particularly at night.
Further investigations also revealed a growing concern among motorcycle operators: how road users can distinguish between legitimate security personnel and impostors during the restriction period?
Findings indicate that some individuals allegedly disguise themselves as security operatives, particularly police officers, and mount illegal checkpoints where motorcycles are seized from unsuspecting riders.
Victims said that upon visiting the police station the following day to recover their motorcycles, they often discover that neither the officers involved nor the confiscated motorcycles can be traced, raising concerns about criminal elements exploiting the situation for personal gain.
A rider identified simply as Bayo alleged that some thefts may involve insiders familiar with motorcycle financing arrangements.
Bayo added that he now limits his operations to busy areas within the city.
Beyond commercial riders
The threat extends beyond commercial riders.
Recently, THE HOPE reported how a middle-aged man, Mr. Moses Alabi, an employee of the Ondo State Printing and Publishing Corporation (OSPPC), narrowly escaped death after allegedly being attacked by suspected robbers in the Fanibi area of Akure.
According to reports, while attempting to alight from his motorcycle, he was struck on the back of the head with a heavy object by an unidentified assailant.
The attack rendered him unconscious for more than three hours while the attackers fled with his motorcycle.
He was later rescued and rushed to a hospital for treatment.
A medical practitioner, Dr. Dele Oludare, who attended to him, said cases involving motorcycle theft and violent attacks have become increasingly common.
“The situation is becoming alarming. Some victims survive these attacks, while others do not due to the severity of their injuries. In this particular case, the blow could have caused serious brain damage, but fortunately the patient is stable,” he said.
He urged security agencies to intensify efforts to combat the growing wave of motorcycle-related crimes.
A public servant who requested anonymity also told THE HOPE that he eventually sold his privately owned motorcycle because of security concerns.
Government restrictions and security debate
In response to rising security challenges across the state, the Ondo State Government recently announced a restriction on motorcycle operations between 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. daily until further notice.
The government said the measure was aimed at curbing criminal activities and enhancing public safety.
While some residents have welcomed the decision as a necessary security measure, many commercial motorcyclists argue that the restriction has further affected their earnings, as evening hours are often among the most profitable periods of the day.
Some riders have also alleged that certain criminals exploit the restriction period, knowing that roads become deserted and assistance may be difficult to obtain.
Others claimed that some motorcycle thieves disguise themselves as security operatives or claim to be acting on behalf of security agencies while carrying out their activities. They called on the relevant authorities to investigate such allegations and strengthen protection for riders.
Many residents also complain that obtaining prompt assistance from security agencies during restricted hours can be challenging, while motorcycle owners who use their bikes for personal transportation equally feel vulnerable.
Expert calls for alternative measures
Security expert, Deputy General Manager (Aviation Security) and Airport Chief of Security (ACoS) of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Akure chapter, Mr. Benneth Iwuchukwu, argued that the current motorcycle restriction policy has not fully achieved its intended goal of reducing kidnapping and other violent crimes.
He noted that many criminal activities occur during the evening rather than late at night, warning that restricting motorcycle movement from 7 p.m. may inadvertently create security gaps in several communities.
“At that time, when motorcycles stop operating on routes that are usually busy, those roads become deserted much earlier than normal. This creates opportunities for criminals to lay ambushes and attack unsuspecting residents because there are fewer people around to raise alarm or offer assistance,” he explained.
Atóyèbí observed that commercial motorcyclists often provide an informal layer of community surveillance through their constant presence on the roads.
He further suggested that the restriction may have inadvertently contributed to increased cases of motorcycle theft and snatching, as offenders exploit reduced movement and limited security presence during restricted hours.
As an alternative approach, Atóyèbí advocated a comprehensive registration system for commercial motorcyclists, complete with identification numbers, designated parks and compulsory use of reflective jackets.
He also called for increased security deployment along major routes during restricted hours, particularly at known flashpoints.
Hope amid uncertainty
The rise in motorcycle theft is affecting not only individual riders but also the local economy.
Commercial motorcycles remain one of the most accessible means of transportation in Akure, especially in areas where larger vehicles cannot easily operate. When riders, lose their motorcycles, they lose their primary source of income.
For many victims, replacing a stolen motorcycle is nearly impossible because of soaring costs and limited access to affordable credit facilities. The result is increased poverty, financial hardship and emotional distress for affected families.