The Lekki Phase I Residents Association (LERA) has banned commercial motorcycle operators otherwise known as Okada riders in the area.
This is due to the recurring security breaches in the community.
Chairman of LERA Mr Yomi Idowu, at a briefing appealed to the Lagos State Government to enforce the law banning Okada riders in the state.
He also called on the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and the New Towns Development Authority (NTDA) to flush out hoodlums and miscreants in uncompleted buildings in the community.
Idowu described the killing of a sound engineer, David Imoh in Lekki as dastardly, animalistic and senseless.
He said: “Intelligence reports reaching us are that following the raid on Okada riders and subsequent seizure of their bikes in Lekki Phase 1 by officials of Lagos State Taskforce, the riders, who believe the action was instigated by Lekki residents, are planning to attack the residents.”
He described as worrisome the menace of Okada riders which recently led to bloody robbery incidents, kidnappings, assassinations and ritual killings to name a few.
“This is not the first time residents are been terrorised by motorcycle riders in Lekki Phase I. Indeed, Okada has been an environmental nuisance and many residents have had their fair share of their sheer recklessness.
“It is an obvious fact that security within Lekki Phase I has deteriorated. It is imperative that we all take a collective stance and formulate joint initiatives to avert a total exposure to imminent security threats to the lives and assets of our residents,” he said.
He hailed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for banning Okada riders in Ikeja, Surulere, Eto-Osa, Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island and Apapa, which will take effect from June 1.
“We in Lekki Phase I cannot risk the lives our people further… We are, therefore, taking proactive measures by banning activities of Okada riders with immediate effect. We choose to live and say no to ‘Okada’ on our roads and streets,” he said.
Member of Board of Trustee Chief Emeka Nweze said those who patronise the Okada riders are not homeowners but domestic workers and artisans working on sites.
Chief Nweze called on the state government to ensure those who have undeveloped properties start working on them or have them confiscated.
“We cannot continue to harbour miscreants in those uncompleted buildings. It is dangerous to residents,” he said.
