Thousands of operators of commercial motorcycles, popularly called Okada,
took to the streets of Benin City, capital of Edo State Wednesday in protest
against the ban on their activities by the state government.
The State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole had in a state-wide broadcast
on television stations in the state Tuesday, announced the ban of the use of
okada as a means of transportation in the three local government areas of Benin
metropolis, citing security reasons.
The protesters who turned out in large numbers, elicited the sympathy of
people as youths and others joined them in the protest at Ring Road.
Human and vehicular traffic was disrupted by the protest, as all entrance to
the ever busy Ring Road were barricaded with every available objects.
Workers and other commuters who had planned to beat the early hour rush
were, however, disappointed as they could not overcome the heavy traffic jam
caused by the protest.
A team of security operatives comprising soldiers and anti-riot policemen
later dispersed the protesters.
One of the protesters, Emmanuel Okobia, who spoke to P.M.NEWS at
Ring Road, said the government erred in the ban of their activities without
serving them notice early enough.
“Oshiomhole got this one wrong this time. How can he announce a ban on Okada
after just one week notice? We are all family men and bread winners, where does
he want us to get our daily bread from?
“Criminal activities in the state have gone down considerably. There is no
more kidnapping and armed robbery, so his argument that it is because of armed
robbery and kidnapping does not work,” Okobia said.
The protesters further lamented losses they were made to incur, saying that
just two months ago, they were forced to pay the sum of N2000 each for jackets
that were never given to them.
“Just two months ago, they forced us to pay N2000 for a jacket which they
claimed will identify real riders from hoodlums, which they did not even give
us. At the end of the day, it was stickers that they gave to us. So who is
deceiving who now? Oshiomhole should think twice.”
As at the time of filing this report, traffic around the Ring Road had eased
as soldiers and anti riot policemen were everywhere around the area and
adjoining streets.
The Okada riders, however, vowed to take their protest to the Government
House to see Governor Oshiomole.
PM news
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