"Unruly Okada Riders Pose Growing Concerns in Jos: A call for Action By Tok Morgan Broadcast Journalist.
In the wake of the tragic incident that befell Fwimbe Thomas in the serene city of Jos, where he fell victim to a brutal attack by individuals suspected to be motorcycle riders, commonly known as "Okada," who trailed him from Tudun Wada, another distressing account emerged. This time, it involved Precious, who narrowly escaped a similar ordeal at the hands of Okada operators in Tudun Wada. This unsettling trend in Jos has raised serious concerns, particularly among car owners. It appears that these Okada riders, despite a supposed ban on their operations (albeit with lax enforcement), have become a growing nuisance and peril to other road users. If left unchecked, this practice threatens to plunge the state's transportation sector into chaos.
For anyone who navigates the streets of Tudun Wada, Sparkling Junction, Zaramaganda Junction, Building Materials Junction, Bukuru Low-Cost, DB Zang Junction, PRTV roundabout, and other areas, it's evident how reckless and unruly these riders can be on the roads. Yet, no one dares to confront or rectify their behavior. Regrettably, any incident involving them now leads to violent reprisals, which is absolutely unacceptable.
In contrast to the previous administration, which disregarded calls to maintain the ban on motorcycle operations and regulate KeKe Napep when other states were cracking down on them, the present administration must take swift action to address this pressing issue. The government should establish a task force with the authority to enforce the ban. While it's unfortunate that some police personnel own these bikes, the government must find a way to address this issue effectively.
Community leaders should also play their part by prohibiting motorcycle operations and addressing other disturbances within their communities.
Yesterday, it was Fwimbe; today, it's Precious. Tomorrow, it could be you, a close friend, a family member, or even yourself.
While share your concern over the misbehaviour of some okada riders with Jos and Bukuru metropolis and the need to enforce the ban of their operation, I must say their ban which I m not sure what the law says, but I suggest should be restricted to playing major and township roads. By this I'm suggesting that those who station themselves at the junction of unmotorable roads like the notorious Tudun wada area: metropolitan junction into JMDB quarters, tudun wada Park junction into sabon gari, GSS tudun wada and the likes should be allowed to operate under strict security supervision. Those in similar locations like furaka Junction into furaka, and interior of Tina junction, ungwan Rukuba junction to eto baba, nabor interior , dadin kowa first gate junction into the interior of dadin kowa, building material junction into the back inerior linking dadin kowa and all similar spots within bukuru / jos.metropolis should be allowed to operate under strict security operation and any breach of the law should be punished by a joint mobile monitoring task force empowered to prosecute, arrest and punished
ReplyDeleteThe danger posed to all of us is succinctly captured by the author of this article.
ReplyDeleteIt should not end up on the social media. Same should *be sent to the relevant authorities to note and take decisive action to nip this monster in the bud.*
These acts of lawlessness cannot be allowed to fester in a sane community, if our State must move ahead.
Our deepest condolences to the family of innocent guy wasted and such acts must not continue unchecked. We all owe a national duty to protect our State for our common good.