By OLA MUDOPE, Lagos –
Lagos State Police Taskforce have crushed about 482 motorcycles that were impounded on restricted roads across the state.
The move according to the police taskforce would served as a deterrent to other potential traffic offenders.
The police spokesman, Mr. Adekunle Ajisebutu, who disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, said the motorcycles were impounded at different times and locations for contravening various traffic laws.
The Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, who was present at the site of crushing, said the exercise has been on since the enforcement started but carried out publicly on Saturday.
“Over the years, we’ve observed that the motorcycles we are seeing here now have been part of the instrument they use in committing crime. When somebody is to be kidnapped, they (do it) with Okada, when somebody’s bag is snatched at the bus-stop, they do that. With the traffic now, Okadas are being used to commit crime”.
“And because of this now, the state government, in its wisdom, decided that Okadas should be restricted in some areas of the state”.
“We have started this enforcement for a long time, yet they are still in town, because Rome was not built in a day. But we will not give them breathing space.
“Some people have insinuated that we sell back the Okadas to those we collect them from, thereby recycling it. That’s why we decided that let the Doubting Thomases know that we don’t sell Okada”, he said.
The police boss warned erring motorcycle operators plying restricted areas and those violating other traffic laws or using motorcycles for criminal activities in the state to have a change of mind or face the legal consequences.
“The law says they should be crushed once they are impounded. And that’s why we decided to demonstrate this.”
Mr Odumosu said the crushing exercise will be a continuous one to discourage people “from trampling upon the law, and also show the determination of the police in enforcing laws.”
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