The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Agency, on Thursday said it has impounded 125 motorcycles for flouting traffic regulations and for security reasons.
The Chairman of the agency, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, said the motorcycles were impounded around Ejigbo and Cele Bus Stops on Wednesday.
Egbeyemi stated that the agency had commenced a clampdown on commercial motorcycle riders plying restricted routes, including all the inner streets across Lagos for security reasons.
He said the agency was forced to embark on the crackdown because of the series of complaints received on a daily basis from innocent members of the public.
According to him, members of the public have complained about criminal activities being perpetrated by the ‘illegal’ commercial motorcycle riders early in the morning and late in the night.
His words: ”We are going to ensure that there is total compliance with the Lagos Traffic Regulations by all commercial motorcycle operators across Lagos.
“These include motorcycle operators in all our local governments and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), as well as by those operating within inner streets.
”In accordance with the traffic laws, every motorcycle operator must wear crash helmets, be above 18 years of age and not ride on kerb/median/road-setbacks.
”Motorcycle operators must avoid restricted routes, not carry more than one passenger, pregnant woman, adult with baby and child below 12 years.
”The operator must not install any musical gadgets, must wear an apron, not operate beyond 10.00p.m, operate with a rider’s permit and have their motorcycles registered with the state government.”
According to Egbeyemi, a research conducted by the state government revealed that most riders of the ‘illegal’ commercial motorcycles are not from Nigeria, but from neighbouring countries.
He alleged further that some of the riders are also involved in criminal activities in the state.
