JUST IN: ONDO GOVT CRACKS DOWN ON NIGHT OKADA OPERATIONS, BANS CART-PUSHING IN MAJOR CITIES AS 70 SUSPECTS PARADED

ONDO GOVT CRACKS DOWN ON NIGHT OKADA OPERATIONS, BANS CART-PUSHING IN MAJOR CITIES AS 70 SUSPECTS PARADED

The Ondo State Government has reinforced its restriction on the use of motorcycles, popularly known as okada, during nighttime hours across the state as part of renewed efforts to strengthen security and curb criminal activities.

The Commander of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as the Amotekun Corps, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, announced the directive while parading 70 suspects arrested during recent security operations across the state.

Adeleye stated that the restriction prohibits the operation of motorcycles between 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. across Ondo State with immediate effect. He explained that the measure is aimed at addressing security concerns linked to the activities of criminal elements who often rely on motorcycles to carry out attacks and quickly escape from crime scenes.

He clarified that the ban applies to all motorcycle operators during the restricted hours, except personnel involved in essential services and security operations, who must be properly identified and certified.

According to the Amotekun commander, the state government has also directed that all motorcycle riders operating within Ondo State must register with the Amotekun Corps and obtain the necessary certification to continue their operations.

He added that riders have been given two weeks to complete the registration free of charge, after which those who fail to comply will be required to pay ₦20,000 to the Ondo State Board of Internal Revenue to regularise their operations.

In another measure aimed at strengthening security and improving urban order, the state government also announced a ban on cart-pushing activities in major metropolitan areas across the state.

The government further directed that all dealers in condemned iron and scrap metal within the state must register with the appropriate authorities within two weeks or face enforcement actions in accordance with the law.

Adeleye explained that the decision followed intelligence gathered by security agencies indicating that some scrap metal dealers and informal trading points were being used by criminal elements to facilitate illegal activities.

Similarly, the state government has prohibited the display and sale of farm produce at unauthorized locations, particularly at roadside junctions and makeshift stalls. Security agencies revealed that some of these roadside trading spots were allegedly being used as monitoring points by criminal groups within the metropolis.

Meanwhile, the Amotekun Corps paraded 70 suspects arrested across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State during recent coordinated security operations. According to Adeleye, 18 of the suspects are linked to kidnapping-related offences, while others were arrested for offences including breach of law and order, violations of the anti-grazing law, human trafficking and other court-related cases.

He noted that the arrests were made through joint operations involving the Amotekun Corps, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Department of State Services.

Adeleye assured residents that security agencies would continue to intensify patrols, intelligence gathering and forest operations across the state as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security and protect communities.