Lagos, Nigeria – A soldier who was riding a motorcycle against traffic on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway was arrested by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Wednesday.
The governor was on his way to the Lagos State University, Ojo, for the unveiling of the Femi Gbajabiamila Conference Centre, when he spotted the soldier, a Lance Corporal, violating the traffic law.
The soldier, whose identity was not disclosed, was seen in a video that went viral on social media, saying: “I am a soldier.” This angered the governor, who ordered some armed policemen to apprehend and whisk him into one of the vehicles in his convoy.
“Put him there. You’re telling me you are a soldier; that is the reason I’m going to lock you up,” the governor said.
The soldier later apologized, saying: “I am sorry sir,” twice. But the armed men took him away.
The governor then turned to the passengers who were on the soldier’s motorbike and said: “You people are the ones causing this. Maybe I should arrest two of you and put you in the guardroom.
“You’re on Okada and they are taking one-way. Is it good? When you fall and you die, they’ll say the government killed you. What a shame.”
Okada Ban Controversy
The incident comes amid the controversy over the ban on commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, and tricycles, known as Keke, in some parts of Lagos State.
The state government had imposed the ban in February 2020, citing security and safety reasons. The ban affected 15 local government areas and local council development areas in the state.
According to a report by Vanguard, the government said the ban was necessary to reduce the high rate of accidents, crimes, and traffic congestion caused by the Okada and Keke operators.
However, the ban sparked protests and criticisms from the operators, commuters, and civil society groups, who said it was unfair, insensitive, and anti-people.
They argued that the ban would affect the livelihoods of thousands of operators, increase the transportation costs and hardship of commuters, and worsen the already poor state of public transportation in the state.
They also accused the government of not providing adequate alternatives or palliatives for the affected operators and commuters.
The government, however, insisted that the ban was in the best interest of the state and its residents and that it would not reverse it.
The government said it was working on improving the public transportation system in the state, by providing more buses, ferries, and trains, and creating designated routes and terminals for the Okada and Keke operators.
The Way Forward
The arrest of the soldier by the governor has reignited the debate on the Okada ban and the need for a lasting solution to the transportation challenges in Lagos State.
Some analysts have commended the governor for his boldness and courage in enforcing the law, saying it shows his commitment to restoring order and sanity in the state.
They have also urged the government to intensify its efforts in providing more and better options for public transportation and to engage with the stakeholders in the Okada and Keke sectors to find a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Others have criticized the governor for his high-handedness and lack of empathy, saying he should have handled the situation with more tact and diplomacy.
They have also called on the government to review the ban and consider the plight of the operators and commuters, who depend on the Okada and Keke for their daily survival.
They also appealed to the government to address the root causes of the problems, such as poverty, unemployment, and poor infrastructure, that make Okada and Keke popular and indispensable in the state.
As the debate continues, many Lagosians hope that the government and the people will find common ground and a lasting solution to the transportation challenges in the state and that the state will live up to its slogan of being the center of excellence.
