Leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has urged the Lagos State Government to completely ban commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, across the state.
He also called for strict punishment for riders caught engaging in criminal activities, suggesting a 30-year jail sentence as a strong measure to reduce insecurity.
Speaking in a video shared on social media during a church meeting, the cleric warned that terrorists are allegedly positioning themselves within Lagos and could soon attempt to carry out attacks.
According to him, some of these criminals prefer to use motorcycles as their main means of movement while planning or executing illegal activities.
Primate Ayodele said, “Lagos government must take security seriously and ban Okada in all areas of the state. If not, it will create serious security problems for Lagos.”
He further advised authorities to go beyond just Okada riders, suggesting that beggars, wheelbarrow pushers, and some street dwellers should also be monitored or restricted, claiming they could be used by criminals.
He added that the government should set up a strong task force to enforce the ban and maintain order in the state.
On punishment, he insisted that anyone arrested for illegal Okada-related activities should face long-term imprisonment, except official delivery riders or approved operators.
He warned that if nothing is done, insecurity could worsen and spread to nearby states, urging government action before it becomes uncontrollable.
Primate Ayodele concluded by saying Lagos must act fast to prevent criminals from taking advantage of motorcycles and weak security gaps in the state.