The Delta State government has banned commercial motorcycles and their riders popularly known as Okada riders from operating within the state.
This it said was in its determination to reduce crime rates in the state, noting that it is only Asaba, the state capital, that is not affected by the ban.
Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, who addressed journalists on Thursday, May 23 after the weekly state executive meeting in Asaba, said the objective of the ban was to prevent security challenges in the state.
The areas where okada riders are no longer allowed to operate include Oshimili South and North, Sapele, Ika, and Uvwie local government areas.
According to the SGF, the law has been in existence since 2012 but has not been implemented, by successive governments.
Emu said anyone who violates the ban will be arrested, his motorcycle will be seized, destroyed and he will be made to face a mobile court.
He, however, explained that the move was not to victimise other ethnicities, adding that the ban was deliberately extended to cover other areas and does not affect transport unions.
He said: “It is to save lives and property. People have been raped. They vandalise transformers and cables and make residents restless.
“There are security men on ground to effect violation. Even Oshimili South and North local government areas have come out with their by-laws to ban scrap metal scavengers”.
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