Ondo Govt bans commercial motorcycles on Ore Expressway

The Ondo State Government (ODSG) has placed a total ban on the operations of commercial motorcycles, popularly called `Okada’, on the Ore Expressway, following frequent incidences of crimes in the area.
 
Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Donald Ojogo, stated this in a statement on Thursday in Akure.
He said that the ban had become imperative in view of the activities of some unscrupulous elements using their `okada’ to perpetrate evil on the Ofosu-Ajebamidele route along the Ore Expressway.
He said: “We are disturbed by the activities of these criminal elements, which include armed robbery, kidnapping and their mode of operations as well as the heightening cases of loss of lives.
“The Ondo State Government has, therefore, placed a total ban on commercial motorcycles along the entire stretch of the route in question.
“This action is with immediate effect and shall subsist until further notice.
“By this development, all activities of commercial motorcyclists are, henceforth, restricted to internal confines of Ore town and other communities in the area.’’
He said that security agencies, especially the Police, should start to apprehend anyone who flouted the order.
The commissioner also appealed to the public to cooperate with security agencies in the enforcement of the ban in order to stem the growing rate of criminal activities in the area.
The state had in December last year announced a partial ban on commercial motorcycles across the state.
It said that the activities of commercial motorcycles across its 18 local government areas should stop at 10 p.m. daily.
Commissioner for Information and Orientation then, Mr. Yemi Olowolabi, said that the development was to curb criminal activities and maintain law and order.