Lagos task force impounds 146 motorcycles, prosecutes 21 riders

Some of the motorcycles impounded by the Task Force in Lagos, on Tuesday. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA

The operatives of the Lagos State Task Force on Tuesday impounded 146 motorcycles and arrested 21 riders at 2nd Rainbow area, Mile 2, Lagos.

The Chairman of the Agency, Olayinka Egbeyemi, disclosed this through the agency’s head, Public Affairs Unit, Adebayo Taofiq.

He added that the enforcement operations were carried out based on series of complaints to his office by members of the public on criminal activities being perpetrated by the motorcycle riders around Mile 2, Orile-Iganmu and Coker Aguda Area.

Egbeyemi disclosed further that activities of the motorcycle operators were on the increase, as they terrorised innocent members of the public both day and night by dispossessing them of their valuables such as phones, jewellery and bags.

He advised the riders to properly screen out criminals among their membership and educate others to stop plying any of the restricted 475 routes, including highways and bridges across the state.

He also warned private power bike riders and dispatch riders working for corporate organisations to stop engaging in commercial usage of their bikes, saying that anyone caught violating any section of the Lagos State Road Traffic Laws of 2012 would be prosecuted.

Egbeyemi added that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Mr. Fatai Owoseni had directed that all those arrested be charged to court.

Relatedly, a magistrate, Lateef Owolabi, of the Lagos State Mobile Court sitting at Oshodi has ordered the forfeiture of 146 impounded motorcycles to government, while he sentenced 21 arrested riders to two weeks imprisonment with N5,000 as an option of fine to the jail term.

Prosecuting counsel, Mr Adedoyin Odukoya disclosed that the arrested riders were convicted after they all pleaded guilty to the two-count charge of riding motorcycles on restricted routes and conducts likely to cause the breach of peace..

The charges were contrary to schedule (1) item (22) of the Lagos State Road Traffic Laws of 2012 and Section 166 sub-section (1) (d) of Lagos State Criminal Laws of 2011.

Tribune.