The ban on okada and tricycles in 15 local councils in Lagos, which took effect on Saturday, has provoked outrage on social media platforms.
Gbenga Omotoso, commissioner for information and strategy, had on Monday announced that the state government will implement the ban on February 1.
He had said the decision was made following a review of casualties recorded so far.
“After a robust assessment of the debate on what has been widely referred to as the motorcycle (okada) and tricycle (Keke Marwa) Menace, the Lagos State Government and the State Security Council have decided that the security and safety of lives of Lagosians are paramount,” he said.
The development, however, has not gone down well with Nigerians and they have since begun to register their frustration on Twitter.
“What happens when you close work late and you don’t get Keke? When you start trekking don’t you run a risk of being robbed? Lagos is just getting worse day by day. It’s not everyone who can afford to buy a car or use Uber every day,” a Twitter user said.
“Controlling the excesses of keke & okada riders requires either strict enforcement or sustained engagement to improve their compliance with the traffic laws. The people understand your law but the people need the riders. Think better about these things before making laws,” another user said.
Here is what some Nigerians had to say:
What happens when you close work late and you don’t get keke? When you start trekking don’t you run a risk of being robbed?
Lagos is just getting worse day by day. It’s not everyone who can afford to buy a car or use Uber everyday.
— Adumadan🤎🤎🤎 (@yettyclassy) February 1, 2020
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Controlling the excesses of keke & okada riders requires either strict enforcement or sustained engagement to improve their compliance to the traffic laws. The people understand your law but the people need the riders. Think better about these things before making laws.
— fascolajamit (@fascolajamit) February 1, 2020
Keke and bikes are not part of the Greater Lagos but old, rickety, no seat belt having, no side mirror having, no break light having Danfo buses are part of the Greater Lagos 🤡 @jidesanwoolu. Laughable
— Uncle Deji (@Blackshadie) February 1, 2020
Lagos state government did not provide ONE BUS.
They just banned Okada and keke and said, yall go fuck yourselves.
In 2023, you people will go out like sheep and vote for them and say, "Jimi Agbaje is not talking"
Take your city back from these bastardsAdvertisement— The Bald Fraud (@Olumuyiwa__) February 1, 2020
So lagos state government banned okada and keke in the name of building a mega city but still have molue and buses like these on the road. pic.twitter.com/Lwo0sLzuQy
— King Mufasa🇳🇬 (@king_Mufaasa) February 1, 2020
Apparently, delivery bikes are also being arrested.
Very good!! since some of the stewpid ones that have cars were praising the Okada and keke ban. Let’s see how you would get your supplies .. or how your bizness would handle deliveries..
Let’s all suffer together. 🤷🏻♀️— Khaleeesì 👸 (@zoxygens) February 1, 2020
I'm actually very pissed about this keke and bike ban. Those bastards need to see the number of students outside Unilag gate everyday that use keke.
— Chum Chum 💕 (@Wveybby_) February 1, 2020
You’re supporting the Okada/Keke ban bc you “can’t wait to not have them scratch up my car” but the gag is, they’ll lose their jobs, harden their survival mode, enter the streets & rob you in traffic.
They’ll lose their jobs, but you’ll lose your sleep too. Who wins in the end?
— Nerve Bender (@okemzuruoke) January 31, 2020
Some roads aren't affected with the ban. Surprisingly Lagos Police are arresting every okada and keke napep seen in those areas.
Nigerian police is a disgrace!— Kemi Ariyo (@d_problemsolver) February 1, 2020
You guyssssss!!!! Nooooo! I’ve walked for like 20 minutes now there’s no bus at the bus stop, this is the second bus stop I’m walking to!!!!! Do you think I have money for uberrr! For God’s sakeeeee. What kind of suffering! All the convenient keke routes, erased!!!!!! #OkadaBan
— Toni Tijani (@Toni_Tijani) February 1, 2020
Can't Lagos state government roll put the buses before banning okada and keke?
Banning like before rolling out your bus is killing our people.
People trekking long distance or paying double TRANSPORT fare is not what Lagosians is asking for?#lagos#OkadaBan— tellmystory Ng (@tellmystory_ng) February 1, 2020
And shey they said it is okada and keke causing traffic and road congestions. Let us see by monday if traffic will be any better. People bereft of new ideas will shaa find something to pin their emptiness on.
— Sylva Nze Ifedigbo (@nzesylva) February 1, 2020
Gov sanwolu this decision of yours to ban keke and Okada in Lagos is not fair, not everyone can afford to take a taxi on a daily.#LEICHE #MercyEkeBrandsDay #mercyeketheicon
— joyce (@joyce39364820) February 1, 2020
Lagos State Government Has Just Given Me Ginger To Buy A Car 😤
No Single Bike Or Keke Anywhere.💔
— Middle Child👑💯🙃💧 (@kingg_timmy) February 1, 2020
It’s a good idea to ban okada and keke. It’s working perfectly in Abuja but they need to provide an alternative means of transportation for the voluminous road users ASAP. https://t.co/y6BRBj2u03
— Akinbosola (@MrAkinbosola) February 1, 2020
This keke and okada ban is causing serious surge on Uber o 🙆🏽♀️ Yaba to Ikoyi that would normally cost me N1200 highest is now almost 3k.
Ah Chineke God, na to collect loan buy car niyen 😭— ogey (@ogeobi_) February 1, 2020
Sanwo Olu banned okada and keke.
I can understand people in Lagos complaining but what I don't understand is people that doesn't live in Lagos but they are crying more than the bereaved.— Teeja¥ RoLlin (@checkola26) February 1, 2020
Difficult for me to conclude if this Keke and bike ban is a good move. What is certain is that no sane city can have bikes and kekes operating how they do in Lagos.
Is there a better way to phase them out? Maybe I don’t know.— Gbolahan Yusuf (@G1gbolahan) February 1, 2020
How on earth would you ban bikes and keke's???? How are people supposed to rush to work in the morning???
What of streets that aren't accessible with buses???— A stranger💆❤ (@Ifeeeeee_) February 1, 2020
People are not talking about this Okada and Keke ban because it’s weekend.
Reality will hit most of us by Monday when it’s time to go to work.
Ikeja under bridge was looking like a dessert, how am I supposed to get to GRA?? Okay now in Yaba, how do I get to Abule Ijesha?🤡🤡🤡— KKK (@tripple_kaee) February 1, 2020
No keke from Berger to Ogba. People are legit trekking . This is insane!
— Yam Advocate 😁 (@MizTosin) February 1, 2020
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The OKADA BAN in Lagos State has positive and negative effects on Lagos State residents. Yes, it’s no doubt it will lessen the risk of encountering accidents, but with the amount of traffic jam that occurs in Lagos, motor bikes have helped people a lot in reaching their destinations on time. So I hope the Lagos State Government removes the ban and find a way to improve their Traffic regulation system in other to reduce accident occurrence. I blog often and truly appreciate your content. The article has really gotten my interest. I am going to bookmark your blog and keep checking for new details every week.
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When will Nigeria learn to consider the poor masses? Nawa ooo