Not less than 20 motorcyclists popularly called Okada have been killed by suspected hoodlums in different parts of Ondo State in the last three weeks.
The Commander of the State Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, Chief Adetunji Adeleye who disclosed this on Wednesday said it was becoming risky for commercial motorcyclists to drive after 6 pm in the state.
Speaking when he paraded eleven suspected criminals who were arrested in different parts of the State, Adeleye said 20 cases of commercial motorcyclists killed and their motorcycles stolen were recorded in the last three weeks, hence it was risky to ride motorcycles in the night.
He appealed to commercial motorcyclists to go and rest if they work for 12 hours so that the Amotekun Corps would be able to identify the criminal entities among those riding commercial motorcycles.
Adeleye, who said the corp had commenced 2023/2024 Ember Border Patrol activities, explained that six of the eleven suspects arrested were caught with locally-made weapons.
According to him, some of the weapons were cut to size or long-range, and this development is seen as their way of preparing to destabilize innocent residents and commuters in Ondo State.
His words “We are determined to make this act of theirs impossible and we are sending this message to them and anybody planning to foment trouble during this yuletide, that it is not business as usual again.
“Our men will be deployed in all blackspots that have been observed in Ondo State, especially Akure. Our patrol vehicles will be on a 24-hour basis throughout this period.
“In collaboration with other security agencies, we are determined to reduce to the barest minimum all acts of criminal activities ranging from kidnapping, shop or housebreaking.
“You will recall that last year, we were able to rescue over 100 kidnapped or robbed people, but for this year’s patrol, we are ready to do more and we thank the people and ask for more support this year,” he said.
The commander also said the ban on commercial motorcycles from 6 pm to 6 am, remained as put in place by the government but would not affect motorcycles on essential duties.
On measures put in place to check criminal activities, Adeleye said
“It is also no longer permitted for vehicles to ply the road without registration numbers, and all vehicles with tinted glass should obtain a Police permit for them.
“Dealers should use dealer numbers ND not stickers because all vehicles with stickers only will be impounded. These are some measures we put in place to guarantee the safety of lives and properties in Ondo State.”
