Commercial motorcycle riders, or “Okada,” are not permitted to operate in the cities of Umuahia and Aba, according to Abia State Governor Alex Otti.
As of Monday, August 14, 2023, any motorcycle seen on the streets of Umuahia and Aba townships being used for such a purpose will be impounded by the security services, according to a statement from Gov. Otti signed by Kazie Uko, his chief press secretary.
He instructed the security services in the two cities to detain anyone found disobeying the order in order to pursue legal action.
Although there was no explanation provided in the statement for the restriction on the use of okadas, some reports claimed that it was a result of the state government’s efforts to combat crime in certain areas of the two cities.
The prohibition imposed by the state administration has drawn criticism from some who claim that it will cause youth unemployment to rise even more.
The critics also urged the Abia State administration to make sure that the ban covers some security officers as well as civilian okada riders.