On Monday, the Osun State Police Command issued a ban on commercial motorcyclists, commonly referred to as okada riders, from using hoods and facemasks to conceal their faces while conducting their operations within the state.
The decision to impose the ban came in response to numerous complaints about an increase in criminal activities, such as robbery and sexual assault, reportedly perpetrated by these motorcycle operators.
Yemisi Opalola, the spokesperson for the Command, cautioned the public against patronizing motorcyclists who wear hoods, nose masks, or face masks, as these items have been used to conceal their identities during criminal act
Opalola emphasized that the police will take strict measures against anyone caught engaging in such practices, with arrests and prosecutions being part of the enforcement.
The spokesperson further highlighted that these crimes primarily occur during nighttime when the culprits take advantage of their concealed identities to escape unidentified by their victim
The decision to implement the ban was prompted by an increasing number of complaints from victims who have experienced robbery and sexual assault while using the services of these motorcyclists, leading to the precautionary measure of warning against wearing facemasks and hoods during operation.
She said: “The Osun State Police Command is using this medium to warn motorcyclists, who use hood/facemasks to cover their heads, faces and nosemasks, especially commercial motorcyclists popularly known as okada, while riding their motorcycles to stop forthwith.
“The Command enjoined the leadership of Okada Riders Association in the state to warn their members against covering their heads and faces in any form while riding their motorcycles, as the Command has mapped out strategies to arrest and prosecute anyone found wanting in this regard.
“Similarly, members of the public are advised not to board or engage the services of any commercial motorcyclist with hood/facemask while riding their motorcycles.”
