Concerns and misgivings are growing among Lagosians over actions of the operatives of the Nigerian Police Force who allegedly demand and collect money from illegal commercial bike operators in the State, Quest Times reports.
Despite the ban on Okada and Keke operations by the state government, investigations however revealed that some officers in charge of impounding motorcycles plying through the expressway or prohibited areas in the State, allegedly collect between N11,000 and N100,000 from the operators, depending on the individual’s bargaining power.
One of the operators who spoke to Quest Times reporter in-camera said he lost three motorcycles to the Lagos State Taskforce in the course of the business.
ALSO READ: More woes for Nigerians as GSM operators plan 40% tariff hike
“The problem in this Okada business is enormous. Police are always after us. For instance, if you carry two passengers, they (police) will hold you. Police once collected N11, 000 from me. I have lost three Okada (motorcycles) to the police even though I didn’t ply through the express,” the source told Quest Times.
Another operator said he once took N60,000 to the Task Force office to recover his impounded motorcycle, accusing the agency of being unprofessional in its handling of Okada operators in the State.
“Police always distort our work here (Ilupeju). Despite collecting bribes from us, they still disturb us while working. Task Force always impounds our Okada while leaving those that are plying through the express,” he alleged.
When contacted to speak on the development, the Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Taskforce, Abdulraheem Gbadeyan promised to get back to our reporter.
Watch video below;
