Ondo State Government has said that henceforth any commercial motorcyclists popularly called Okada found at accident scenes harassing victims will be arrested and be made to face the wrath of the law.
Ondo State Acting Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa stated this at a meeting organised with leaders and commercial motorcyclists on Tuesday in Akure.
On Easter Monday, a mob, consisting mostly Okada riders, had stoned 35-year old Tope Olorunfemi to death for allegedly crushing two people to death and injuring six others with his vehicle after ramming into about five commercial motorcycles.
Aiyedatiwa said that commercial motorcyclists should desist from taking laws into their hands and learn to follow and believe in the rule of law.
The acting governor, who said that accidents were inevitable, warned that anybody caught in the act of jungle justice after the recent incident would found himself cooling off in prison.
Aiyedatiwa said the last time he met with Okada Riders, it was to celebrate with them, but the meeting was to warn them to desist from acts of always attacking other road users when accidents happened.
“Don’t let us kill ourselves when accidents happens, let’s always sympathise and take victims to hospital for medical attention.
“Next time that such happens and you are gathering to start problems,all of you present will be first taken to prison before trial, go and repent and change your ways, we are all one.
“Today is to come and warn you and we had previously warned you that we don’t want breaking of law and you must trust the law of the government.
“There is dignity in labour and you must be proud of all you are doing, don’t always assume that other road users are your enemies.
“Most of you are big men that has trained children with this work and you assume that those in car are more richer than you?,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa, who said government was not happy with the latest occurrence of jungle justice, directed leaders of commercial motorcyclists present at the meeting to pay a condolence visit to the family of the victim.
Also, Special Adviser to the State Government on Transport, Mr Tobi Ogunleye,said the attitude of commercial motorcyclists was nothing to write home about, especially on the recent incident.
Ogunleye said Ondo State was one of the most friendly state to Okada riders and had started clamping down on erring ones
Earlier, Special Adviser on Special Duty and Strategy to the Governor, Mr Doyin Odebowale, said those that perpetrated the act had been arrested and government will not seat and watch any further breaking of law and order.
Odebowale said the state government would be hard on them if they continue with their attitudes of breaking laws and order of the state.
Responding, State Coordinator for Okada, Isaac Sico said not all Okada riders were troublemakers, saying only few bad eggs were the ones giving them bad name.
Sico said that they would not have choice than to follow the laid down rules and would given by the state government to prevent further occurrence.
