TEN Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Scheme buses were yesterday vandalised by angry commercial motorbike operators protesting the mode of enforcement of the recently gazetted Lagos Traffic Law.
The protesters stormed the dedicated BRT bus stop at Onipanu as early as 9 a.m., protesting the law which outlawed their activities on 475 roads in the state as well as indiscriminate arrests and extortion by men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The situation, which disrupted traffic along the ever busy Ikorodu Road, was brought under control by anti-riot policemen who arrived the scene few minutes after the commencement of the protest. Some of the protesters were arrested.
An eye witness told our reporter that the okada riders, in their hundreds, pelted every BRT bus they came across at Onipanu with stones and other dangerous weapons without considering the over 50 passengers on board, adding that the development sent hundreds of passengers at the various bus stop and in the affected buses scampering for safety.
When contacted, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Mr. Kolawole Ojelabi, confirmed that 10 buses in BRT scheme were damaged by the irate commercial motorcycle operators at Onipanu.
In her reaction, Public Relations Officer of the state Police Command, Ngozi Braide, said timely intervention by the police saved the situation from degenerating.
According to Braide, the police deployed its men to BRT corridors around the metropolis for safety of lives and property of the people when they heard of the incident.
Meanwhile, members of the House of Assembly yesterday vowed to ban their activities outright in all parts of the state if they fail to abide by the new road traffic law.
The resolution was made by the members after the Chairman, House Committee on Local Government Administration, Lanre Oshun, representing Mainland 2, raised an issue under matter of urgent public importance, adding that drastic action should be taken on the matter before it goes beyond control.
Making her own submission, one of the members, Funmilayo Tejuosho (Mushin I), affirmed that there is a law in place in which the motorcyclists must adhere to and if they don’t want it, there is a procedure in tackling such.
“Their action shows that they are indisciplined and police and other security agencies should stand up to their responsibility and arrest whoever violates the law. The destruction of BRT and government properties is appalling and against the law,” she said.
In his contribution, Sanai Agunbiade (Ikorodu I), stressed that the motorcycle operators are being used to oppose the law, saying security should be on guide to curb them and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and taskforce should be strengthened to enforce the law. “We should expect more of the protest and the House should stand by its decision because no law encourages gangsterism,” he said.
Bisi Yusuf (Alimosho I) complained that Lagos is now a dumping site where motorcyclists banned from other states come to do their business.
“Adamawa, Kwara, Akwa Ibom and Abuja, among others, have banned okada riders outright and they cannot turn Lagos to anarchy due to their criminal attitudes.
These Okada riders have sent most people to Igbobi because of their recklessness and I know their motive would not see the light of the day,” he said.
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