Insecurity: Oyo To Stop Influx Of Okada Riders From Neighbouring Countries

The Executive Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Administration and General Services, Rev. Idowu Ogedengbe, has said that the state government is ready to curb the influx of Okada riders from neighbouring West African countries into the state.

Rev. Ogedengbe, who stated this while featuring on the Oyo State Nigeria Union or Journalists (NUJ) Correspondents Chapel’s monthly “Guest Forum” in Ibadan, said that so far over 5,000 motorcycle riders have been captured in the ongoing registration of motorcycle riders in the state.

The Governor’s aide added that the registration of motorcycle riders in the state was aimed at curbing insecurity and other forms of crimes and criminalities considering the present level of insecurity in the country and to curtail the influx of Okada riders from neighboring countries that is threatening the security of the state.

“Okada business is a means of livelihood for some people in the state. It will affect them if their operation is stopped outrightly. Any Okada rider who wants to operate in the state should register. Anybody who fails to do so will be sanctioned,” he said.

He stressed that the security of lives and property of the people of the state remains one of the priorities and major concern of the present administration in the state.

He explained that one of the major problems facing the present administration in Oyo State is lack of funds arising from the effect of COVID-19 pandemic and fall in the price of crude oil that have affected what the states in the country get from the federal allocation.

-Kunle Bakare.