The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has placed an indefinite ban on commercial motorcycles popularly called Okada operations across six Local Governments after a sound engineer, David Imoh, was allegedly lynched and burnt to death over N100 in Lekki axis of the state.

Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the Lagos Police Command and other security agencies have been placed on the alert to commence enforcement of the ban beginning from June 1, 2022.

The six local governments where their operations were outlawed by the governor include: Ikeja, Surulere, Eti-Osa, Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island, and Apapa axis of the state.

Sanwo-Olu, who described Imoh’s death as unfortunate, stated that the ban was to ensure that such incident would not repeat itself and that it was in the best interest of Lagosians.

The governor, who gave the order to all Divisional Police Officer (DPOs) and Area Commanders across the State on Wednesday, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, noted that other security agencies would join in the enforcement of the order in all areas indicated.

Earlier before the ban, the Chairman of Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Shola Jejeloye was said to have stormed the Lekki axis in a sting operation where 123 motorcycles were seized for flouting the State Traffic laws of operating on restricted routes and plying the State’s Highways.

Jejeloye emphasized that as part of the agency’s effort to clamp down on uncooperative and killer okada operators in the state, it would continue with its mob up exercise to rid Lekki axis and the entire State of unscrupulous Okada operators who have refused to heed the sound of warning and carried on with their illegal operations.

“This operation will be a continuous one not just in Lekki but in every other part of the State, and we will make sure that their activities are truncated till they abide by the rules. They will never be above the law no matter how large their numbers are” he said.

The chairman further urged residents of the state to join efforts with the Government in ensuring that the fight to restore and maintain sanity on Lagos Roads is won collectively in order to improve security.

The Federal Government has once again amended the charges against the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

A counsel for the IPOB leader, who made this known also said the Federal Government listed some lawyers representing Nnamdi Kanu as accomplices of the defendant.

Among the lawyers said to be indicted by the Federal Government are Ifeanyi Ejiofor and Maxwell Opara.

The IPOB legal team member said the government claimed that the indicted lawyers were constantly in contact with Nnamdi Kanu after he allegedly jumped bail and fled the country.

Nnamdi Kanu, who is at the Federal High Court, Abuja, is expected to be re-arraigned on the fresh charges.

The presidency, on Tuesday, slammed the Northern Elders Forum for what it called “delusional arrogance” over its call for some sections of the country to secede, referring the forum as ‘so-called’

According to a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the presidency insisted that only democratically elected leaders can take decisions that steer the nation, and no one else.

The statement was titled “Statement on the call by ‘Northern Elders Forum’ asking a section of the country to leave the federation.”

It read in part, “We are aware of the latest statement from the so-called ‘Northern Elders Forum.’

“We wish to reassure Nigerians that it remains their democratically elected leadership which takes the decisions that steer our nation–and no one else.

“No self-appointed and unelected group can take this right from Nigerians – no matter how much coverage they might enjoy in the media. Nigerians listen to elected leaders, not opinionated tin-gods who have no traction with any responsible group.

“It is a delusional arrogance that would lead such a group to publicly state terms and conditions for the existence of our nation.

“Who gave them the right to ask for the exclusion, or expulsion of any one, group or section of the country from the Federal Republic of Nigeria?”

The presidency noted that the Nigerian government does not take guidance or invitations from such groups–only from the Nigerian people who put governments in office.

It said while any group can refer to itself as “leaders”, the government will not recognise it as such “if you have not been elected by Nigerians to a leadership role.”

The statement further noted that like many other countries around the world, Nigeria is feeling the strain of the current period of volatility and uncertainty.

Therefore, “Now is not the time to seek to exacerbate divisions amongst Nigerians. Rather, we call on all Nigerians to come together and work to overcome the challenges we face as one nation, one people.”