The Oyo State Government has announced plans to bar and prosecute commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as Okada riders, who operate without the state's approved QR code-embedded jackets.
This decision was made public by the Chairman of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA), Adekoya Adesagba, in Ibadan.
The crackdown follows a surge in criminal activities involving unregistered riders, including, armed robbers on an unmarked motorcycle snatched a trader's earnings at gunpoint in Bodija Market.
A kidnapping attempt was foiled after locals reported suspicious riders without QR jackets on the UI-Agbowo axis and a passenger was robbed by a fake Okada rider in the Challenge area.
“OYRTMA urges residents to patronize only Okada riders with these official jackets. The benefits include real-time rider verification, crime prevention, emergency tracking, and increased passenger trust,” Adesagba said.
He warned that daily raids would continue, with non-compliant motorcycles impounded and riders facing fines or prosecution. “The government assures this policy is for the safety of all residents, and defaulters will be barred from operating on state roads,” he added.
The enforcement directive was also backed by the Office of the Governor through the Senior Special Assistant on ICT and E-Governance, Adebayo Akande.
The policy, which started in November 2023, requires Okada and tricycle operators to register under the Oyo State Residents’ Registration Scheme. Despite initial provisions of free jackets, Adesagba noted compliance has remained low. “This has emboldened criminals and led to increased Okada-related crimes,” he said.
The state says it will intensify both enforcement and public awareness campaigns to ensure full compliance.
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