Okada riders to FG: Ban will not solve Nigeria’s security challenges

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Kwara

Commercial motorcycle operators (Okada) in Kwara State have called on the Federal Government to reconsider the proposed ban on their operation.

The Federal Government, through Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami had disclosed the government plan to ban commercial motorcycle operation and mining as part of efforts to check and curtail terrorism and banditry in the country.

But the motorcycle operators said such a move would take away their livelihood and may end up being counterproductive.

Chairman of Lajonrin junction park in Ilorin, the state capital, Mr. Muibi Taofeeq told Westernpost that the ban would have negative effects on the society if carried out. 

According to him, he and his members feed themselves and their families, as well as train their children in school with the little they make from the business.

“I have children at the University of Ilorin and two at the College of Education and I pay their school fees from the motorcycle business,” he said.

Another rider, who is a trained mechanic, said he resorts to the business anytime there is no work to do, adding that it is a second source of income for him to feed his family.

“It is not a business we dabble into willingly. We are genuine riders. It is what we use to feed ourselves. Those using Okada to perpetrate evil are criminals and we are not involved in criminal activities. We are the ones to suffer the consequences of any ban which I think is not the solution to the insecurity situation in the country,” he said.

Mohammed Ibrahim, a National Certificate in Education (NCE) holder from Technical College of Education, Lafiagi, Kwara State, said he finished in 2013, with a wife and children to take care of but due to lack of employment he took up the Okada business.

“We have many graduates as Okada riders due to lack of employment. I’m a farmer. I also ride Okada but farming can’t be done without money,” he said.

A car spare parts dealer turned Okada rider, Saliu Usman, said the ban may not bring the desired result.

He said: “My position on the proposed ban is that it won’t stop people from perpetrating evil.

“Here in Kwara, each commercial motorcyclist has registration number and park which if anything goes wrong, he can be traced.

“Most of us engaged in transportation business as second source of income. It is not our primary source of livelihood but the situation pushed us to it. Most of us are educated, others are well trained artisans but due to lack of employment, we embrace the Okada riding business, as we need to fend for our families.

“I want to urge the government not ban the Okada as there is no other business we can venture into easily.