Ban on Okada will create more bandits, terrorists, criminals – ROMO warns FG

By Kolawole Olayinka, Abeokuta

Riders and Owners of Motorcycle Organisation (ROMO), Ogun State chapter, has warned the Federal Government that the proposed ban on commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada will further worsen the insecurity in the country.

The association described the proposed ban as the height of government’s insensitivity to the plights of Nigerians.

Chairman of the association, Shotayo Olushola Rasak (Sholebo) disclosed this in a statement in Abeokuta on Monday.

Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami had last week hinted that the Federal Government was considering banning commercial motorcyclists and mining activities in a bid to stem the rising insecurity across the country.

Malami claimed motorcycles provide the means of transportation for terrorists while mining is their source of funds for the purchase of arms.

But reacting to Malami, Shotayo insisted that the ban if implemented, would bring untold hardships on Nigerians who are already feeling the heat of the poor economy.

According to the association, no fewer than 40 million Nigerians will be directly rendered unemployed if the government ban commercial motorcyclists.

He urged the Federal Government to adopt the security strategy of Ogun State government which regulated the activities of commercial motorcyclists by registering and collating their data.

“We urge the Federal Government not go ahead with the proposed plan to ban commercial motorcyclists as this will further worsen the security challenges the government is trying to solve.

“Banning commercial motorcyclists is a way of creating another major security problem instead of solving it.

“Instead of banning commercial motorcyclists, the Federal Government should adopt the security strategy of Ogun State government which regulated activities of commercial motorcyclists by registering and collating the data of cyclists.

“The Ogun State government has been trying in combating insecurity by creating a data bank of commercial motorcyclists and this strategy is paying off.

“Over the years, the state government in conjunction with security agencies and motorcyclists’ unions have been fighting insecurity by regulating their activities.

“For example, all motorcyclists’ unions set up a task force and with the help of security agencies have been arresting criminal elements hiding under the guise of commercial motorcyclist and perpetrating crime in the state.

“Recently, over 150 criminals using unregistered motorcycles were arrested and handed over to the police for prosecution.

“This strategy has been working well so far, to the extent that, some states, including Oyo, Osun, Kano and Sokoto among others have approached the Ogun State government to learn about its security template.

“We therefore urged the Federal government to shelve this proposed action and adopt a better security strategy to combat insecurity,” he said.