By CHIAZO OGBOLU

The Lagos State Task Force has impounded 78 motorcycles for operating illegally on restricted routes in the state.

This is contained in a statement by the Director of Public Affairs, Ministry of Transportation, Mrs Bolanle Ogunlola, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

Ogunlola said the motorcycles were impounded during an enforcement exercise aimed at restoring sanity in all affected areas.

“The enforcement is a continuation of the agency’s clean-up operation to rid the state of commercial motorcycles (popularly known as okada), street traders, illegal ticket sellers, unauthorised parking, and other criminal elements,” she said.

Ogunlola said the operation was carried out on Thursday along the Aguda carriageway and areas on the stretch of Oshodi-Apapa and Lagos-Badagry Expressway, respectively.

“The areas visited during the operation include Aguda carriageway and Sanya Bus Stop in Surulere, Mile 2 Oke Bridge, Sanya Bus Stop, Ijesha Bus Stop, Berger Suya, Cele Express Bus Stop, Festac areas, Festac 2nd Gate, frontage of Federal Housing Authority, and its environs.

“These are areas where some recalcitrant okada operators were constituting a nuisance on highways, walkways, and other restricted routes,” she said.

Ogunlola said the confiscated motorcycles would be forfeited to the state through court, in line with the State Transport Sector Reform Laws of 2018. (NAN)