…As council boss wades in
By: Felix Ikpotor
Commercial motorcycle operators popularly called “Okada” have resolved to continue to work in peace and harmony with men of the Nigeria Police Force operating in Khana local Government Area and its environ courtesy the intervention of the Council Chairman, Barr. Lahteh Loloo.
Speaking when the motorcycle operators under the aegis of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW),Okada Chapter had a meeting with the Chairman and top security agencies at the Council Headquarters in Bori, the Chairman Barr.Lahteh Loloo maintained that he was aware of their complaints and challenges, stressing that the issue of extortion raised by the union will be amicably resolved with the authority concerned and pleaded for them to continue to go about their job peacefully and not take to crime and other negative vices.
Barr.Loloo said although, their complaints were genuine, but advised the commercial cyclists to always ensure their particulars are complete and genuine so as to avoid confrontation with officials of the Nigeria Police Force in the area, adding that as the chairman of council, he will continue to work with members of the union and ensure they are adequately protected in their businesses.
Earlier, Chairman of the okada union, Comrade Mathew Geoffrey Inee, had told the gathering that the level of extortion perpetrated by some officials of the force in the area was one too many, stressing that a situation whereby an okada rider conveying only one passenger had to pay one hundred naira (100) at each junctions and road block by the police was unacceptable.
Comrade Inee maintained that it was very worrisome that as Commercial motorcyclists were being subjected to some ugly treatments that ought ordinarily not to be.
He said although they were not against the police carrying out their lawful duties but maintained that the manner in which some of the Police officers carry out their duty was greatly disappointing and in variance with their lawful operation in the area LGA.
Responding, the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of Khana Local Government Areas’ Bako , denied knowledge of the actions of some of its men, but however appeal to them to see what happened as an issue in the past and promised to reach out with other men of the command to ensure their (Okada riders) complaints is being addressed.
He maintained that he was very happy with the way okada riders` are conducting themselves, promising that as the officer in charge of the area, he will continue to collaborate with other security agencies to ensure the area is safe and calm for investors and those doing business and living in the area to live in peace.
on his part, the Director of State Security Service, Bori Command, Mr.Osubo George said the issue of peace and security in the area was very paramount and appealed to the motorcyclists to always report suspicious movement of persons(s) to law enforcement agents.
