The ongoing feud between the Lagos State Government and motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada has taken a new dimension as reports reaching our newsdesk indicate that a young man was reportedly shot in the chest by policemen attached to the Illupeju police station around Ilupeju Bypass at about 10:52 for allegedly going contrary to the law.
It was gathered that the Okada rider was shot while trying to escape arrest. Sources said after the shooting, the policemen hurried into their van and zoomed off.
The victim was immediately rushed to Teju Hospital, which is just opposite the place where the incident occurred. The victim’s identity is yet to be known.
Efforts made towards getting across to the Lagos State Police spokesperson Mrs. Ngozi Braide were fruitless as the police boss’ numbers were all switched off.
The Fashola-led government recently passed a law that motorcyclist should be restricted form plying some areas in Lagos.
Section 3(1) of the new Lagos Traffic Law, prohibits the riding, driving or propelling of a cart, wheelbarrow, motorcycle or tricycle on the major highways in Lagos. It was an effort to curb the Okada deluge that has become a scourge in the state. The proscription was signed into law on August 2, 2012; its promulgation took effect on October 22. And on that day the public came to grasp with the full implication of the new traffic law, which slammed a ban on commercial motorcycles popularly known as Okada from plying 475 designated roads in Lagos State in CMS and the Central Business District Area of Lagos Island as well as the Eko Bridge and Apongbon axis.
Other areas declared as “No-Go Zones” for Okada riders in Victoria Island include: Ozumba Mbadiwe from Bonny Camp up till 1st Roundabout and in Ikoyi, Awolowo Road and highbrow avenues such as Bourdillion, Gerrard, Alexander, Osbourne and Alfred Rewane Road. People living in the vicinity of Funsho Williams Avenue, Murtala Muhammed Way, Jibowu, Yaba, Oyingbo Iddo and Idumota would now have to grapple with scarcity of Okada on their road. The Ikorodu Express Road up to Ikorodu Town Roundabout, as well as sections of Badagry Express way are not exempted from the Okada restriction.
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