As part of efforts to firm up security in the State, following recent looting, vandalization of government and private properties and general disruption of peace, the Governor of the State of Osun, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, has given a two-week ultimatum for full documentation and registration of all commercial motorcycle operations and operators in the State or risk suspension of their operations.
The operation of commercial motorcycle operators in the state has also been limited to 8:00pm daily. Failure to comply with this new directive will lead to suspension of commercial motorcycle operations across the state.
Governor Oyetola made this known, Tuesday evening , at a meeting with the leadership of the associations of commercial motorcycle operators in the State. He expressed his shock and displeasure at the way motorcycle operators allowed themselves to be used to cause unprecedented damages around the state in the last few days .
Addressing the representatives of the Okada riders in the state, Oyetola said, “Security reports revealed that your members played major roles in the destabilization and breakdown of law and order that necessitated the imposition of curfew in the State. Your members were the ones who ferried looters from house to house to perpetrate evil. They were the ones who were paid to transport hoodlums to destroy people’s businesses.
“I can also confirm to you that even the attempt on my life was aided by some of your members, who after our escape from the mob, gave my convoy a long chase and attempted to block our movement at different points. We also have security reports that some of your members are involved in all forms of illicit activities like robbery, kidnapping, and ritual killings.
“Considering all these, the government cannot pretend that all is well because the primary duty of government is to ensure security of life and property of its citizens. That is why we are mandating all the various associations of commercial motorcycle in the state to document their members, register their bikes, issue them tags and reflective jackets with bold prints behind showing the different areas and unit of operation. This exercise is expected to be concluded within two weeks from the time of this meeting. The time has come to separate the wheat from the chaff
“As leaders of the association, please ensure this is done otherwise government will have no option but to suspect okada operations in the state. ”
Governor Oyetola said the government was aware that okada business was a source of livelihood and not all of them were criminals but the events of the past few days had shown that the criminal elements among them had become a threat to the peace of Osun.
“I also appeal to you as leaders of the associations, to advise your members to desist from allowing themselves to be used for criminal activities”, Oyetola stated.
In their response, the representatives of the various associations of commercial motorcycle in the State, apologised to the Governor for the role some of their members played in causing devastations across the state, and promised to comply with the directives of the State Government.
The meeting had in attendance the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji; the Deputy Chief of Staff, Prince Abdullah Adeyanju Binuyo; the Head of Service, Mr Olowogboyega Oyebade, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Adebayo Adeleke; Commissioner for Commerce, Dr Bode Olaonipekun, Commissioner for Intergovernmental and Political Affairs, Hon Taiwo Akeju, Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Hon Jamiu Olawumi, Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Mrs Abiodun Ige; Director-General of the Bureau of Social Services, Mr Richard Tinubu, SA, General Administration, Hon Niyi Idowu, Commissioner of Police in the state and the leadership of them associations of commercial motorcycle operators in the State.