The Ondo State Government has held a meeting with leaders of commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as okada riders, to reinforce the ban on night riding and the use of face coverings by riders.
Leaders of motorcycle unions from across the state attended the session, where discussions centred on improving compliance with the government’s directives and strengthening collaboration with security agencies, particularly the Amotekun Corps, following reported gains in security operations across the state’s 18 local government areas.
Officials at the meeting said the restrictions form part of measures introduced to curb criminal activities allegedly perpetrated at night by individuals using motorcycles while hiding their identities.
Union leaders were urged to ensure their members adhere strictly to the regulations.
Speaking after the meeting, the Ondo State Commander of Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, said intelligence findings indicated that several criminal operations were carried out at night using motorcycles.
According to him, the situation often makes it difficult for security operatives to differentiate between genuine riders and criminal elements.
Adeleye stressed that the cooperation of motorcycle unions would be vital to the effective enforcement of the policy.
He disclosed that a fresh registration exercise for legitimate motorcycle operators would begin next Monday. Riders who fail to complete the registration within a two-week grace period, he said, would face sanctions.
He also announced that riders would no longer be permitted to operate motorcycles while covering their faces with hoods or similar materials.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties and Strategies, Hon. Gani Mohammed, appealed to residents to support the initiative in the interest of public safety.
In the same vein, the Chairman of the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service and State IT Agency, Hon. Tomide Akinribido, cautioned that operators who fail to register would forfeit the right to ply their trade in the state.
