Toba Adedeji, Osogbo
OSUN State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola on Wednesday gave commercial motorcyclists two weeks to register their bikes, to avert insecurity.
He said they must have tags and reflective jackets with bold prints behind showing their areas and units of operation, or risk suspension of their operations.
Oyetola, through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ismail Omipidan, said the governor held a meeting with the leadership of the Association of Commercial Motorcycle Operators, adding that the decision was part of the measures to beef up security following the recent looting and vandalism of government and private property, as well as disruption of peace.
He said: “The duration of the operation period has also been limited. Okada riders will now operate from 6am to 8pm daily.”
Addressing the representatives of the association, Oyetola said: “Security reports showed that your members played major roles in the destabilisation and breakdown of law and order that necessitated the declaration of curfew in the state. Your members were the ones who ferried looters from house to house to perpetrate evil. They were the ones who were paid to transport hoodlums to destroy people’s businesses.
“I can also confirm to you that even the attempt on my life was aided by some of your members, who after we escaped from the mob, gave my convoy a long chase and attempted to block our movement at different points. We also have security reports that some of your members are involved in all forms of illicit activities such as robbery, kidnapping and ritual killings.”
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“Considering all these, the government cannot pretend that all is well because the primary duty of a government is to ensure the security of life and property of its citizens. This is why we are mandating the various associations of commercial motorcycle operators to document their members, register their bikes, issue them tags and reflective jackets with bold prints behind showing the different areas and units of operation.
“This exercise is expected to be concluded within two weeks from the time of this meeting. The time has come to separate the wheat from the chaff and as leaders of the associations, please ensure this is done. Otherwise, the government will have no option but to suspend Okada operations.”
The representatives of the commercial motorcyclist associations apologised to the governor for the role some of their members played in disrupting peace.
They promised to comply with the government directive.
