Residents of Ogun State have been left in a state of fear following the activities of some fake Okada riders who are perpetrating crimes in the state.
The police in the state have warned residents to be cautious when boarding an Okada, especially when the motorcycle has no registered number plate, News About Nigeria reports.
According to the police, these criminals are usually with unregistered motorcycles to prevent being tracked by security agents. They have been reported to snatch people’s bags, phones and other belongings on the road, thereby dispossessing the residents of their valuables.
In a statement released by the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, he advised residents to be vigilant when picking an Okada rider and warned them to always be on the lookout any time they wait by the roadside.
“Before you sit on any Okada, check and see if it has a number plate. If it does not have a number plate, please avoid it. Those people snatching phones and committing other crimes under the guise of being commercial motorcyclists are always with unregistered motorbikes. Please be careful. And if you are on the road, please don’t be too careless. Keep your things well,” Oyeyemi said.
The warning from the police has been necessitated by the rising spate of criminal activities of these fake Okada riders. The police have promised to do everything within their power to secure residents of the state from criminal elements.
Residents are urged to report any suspicious activities of these fake Okada riders to the police for prompt action. The state government is also advised to take necessary steps to ensure that all commercial motorcyclists in the state are properly registered and licensed to operate.
