The Ondo State Government on Thursday officially ban the operations of commercial motorcycles, popularly called `Okada’ on the Ore Expressway following the frequent incidences of crimes in the area.
The State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Donald Ojogo, disclosed this in a press statement he made available to newsmen in Akure.
He said that the ban had become imperative in view of the activities of some unscrupulous elements using their `okada’ to perpetrate evil on the Ofosu-Ajebamidele route along the Ore Expressway.
Accoding to him, we are disturbed by the activities of these criminal elements, which include armed robbery, kidnapping, and their mode of operations as well as the heightening cases of loss of lives.
“This action is with immediate effect and shall subsist until further notice.
“By this development, all activities of commercial motorcyclists are, henceforth, restricted to internal confines of Ore town and other communities in the area.’’
He said that security agencies, especially the Police, should start to apprehend anyone who flouted the order.
The commissioner also appealed to the public to cooperate with security agencies in the enforcement of the ban in order to stem the growing rate of criminal activities in the area.