The police in Ogun State have warned residents of the State to stop patronising commercial motorcyclists, otherwise known as okada riders, whose bikes have no registered number plates.
The warning from the police came on the heel of recent activities of some okada riders, whose stock-in-trade is to snatch people’s bags, phones and other belongings on the road.
Media Talk Africa gathered that residents of Abeokuta and other areas of Ogun State have been lamenting over the way they are being dispossessed of their belongings by some unknown bike men, who pretend to be commercial motorcyclists.
While speaking on a radio programme in Abeokuta, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the command had got information about the activities of the ‘fake okada riders’.
According to Oyeyemi, those perpetrating the criminal act are usually with unregistered motorbikes to prevent being tracked by security agents.
While urging Ogun residents to be circumspect when picking okada riders, Oyeyemi warned them to always be on the alert any time they waite 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 police spokesman, however, said the police would do everything to secure residents of the state from criminal elements.
He warned criminals to vacate the State or risk being arrested and prosecuted, stating that Ogun is not a safe haven for robbers and others.
