IMO STATE GOVERNMENT TO COMMENCE RENEWED ENFORCEMENT OF BAN ON OKADA OPERATIONS IN THE CAPITAL CITY FROM

IMO STATE GOVERNMENT TO COMMENCE RENEWED ENFORCEMENT OF BAN ON OKADA OPERATIONS IN THE CAPITAL CITY FROM

OWERRI, NIGERIA — November 6, 2025:

The Imo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring public safety and order in the capital city, announcing that a renewed and comprehensive enforcement of the long-standing ban on commercial motorcycle operations—popularly known as Okada—will officially begin on Saturday, November 8, 2025.

The enforcement drive, led by the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Monitoring and Compliance in partnership with the Ministry of Transport, marks a decisive step by the administration to restore sanity and enhance security within Owerri, the state capital. The renewed clampdown comes amid rising concerns over increasing criminal activities allegedly linked to Okada operators, including robbery, phone and handbag snatching, and the use of motorcycles as escape vehicles in violent crimes.

According to the statement signed by Chinasa Nwaneri, Special Adviser to the Governor on Monitoring and Compliance, the operation is “a necessary measure to protect lives, maintain order, and uphold the laws of the state.” The directive underscores that the ban is not new but rather a reinforcement of existing state laws that have long restricted the movement of Okada in key parts of the city.

Restricted Areas and Enforcement Zones

Under the renewed enforcement order, Okada operations are strictly prohibited within the following areas of the Owerri capital territory Includes:

Orji Road, terminating at Capitol

Egbu Road, terminating at Total Filling Station

Port Harcourt Road, terminating at Avu Junction

World Bank Road, terminating at the Last Roundabout

Aba Road, terminating at Naze Junction (No. 1)

Orlu Road, terminating at Akwakuma Junction

MCC Road, terminating at Methodist Junction

Onitsha Road, terminating at Irete

Nekede Old Road, terminating at Number 1 Junction

Mr. Nwaneri emphasized that any motorcycle found operating within these restricted zones from the commencement date will be confiscated, and the rider will face prosecution in accordance with the laws of Imo State. The government has also warned that no exemptions will be tolerated, irrespective of affiliations or associations.

The decision to renew the Okada ban enforcement comes amid escalating security concerns in major Nigerian cities, where motorcycles have increasingly been linked to urban crimes and insurgent mobility. Imo State, like many others, has faced challenges with the use of Okadas for quick-hit criminal operations, often leading to injuries, theft, and sometimes fatalities.

Over the years, successive administrations in Imo have implemented similar restrictions, though enforcement has fluctuated due to social and economic pressures. The current administration under Governor Hope Uzodimma appears determined to restore the initial objectives of the policy — promoting law, order, and security while encouraging the adoption of safer and more regulated transport alternatives such as tricycles (Keke), minibuses, and taxis.

A senior official in the Ministry of Transport, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated that the renewed enforcement will be “firm but fair,” noting that the government has provided adequate notice for compliance. “We are not targeting livelihoods,” the official said, “but we must prioritize the safety of the majority. Those who wish to continue riding can operate in unrestricted zones or convert to tricycle operations through the state’s regulated transport programs.”

The announcement has generated mixed reactions among residents and transport operators. While some residents welcome the move as a necessary step to curb insecurity, others have expressed concerns about the potential impact on daily commuting and unemployment rates among youth who depend on Okada operations for survival.

Business owners within Owerri’s central business districts have praised the policy, citing the frequent cases of motorcycle-related thefts and accidents. “It’s about time,” said Mrs. Ifeoma Obioha, a shop owner along Egbu Road. “Okada riders have made it unsafe to walk freely. Every week, we hear stories of someone being robbed.”

However, Okada riders’ associations have appealed to the government to provide alternative means of livelihood and rehabilitation programs for affected operators. “We understand the security concerns,” said a spokesperson for the Motorcycle Transport Union of Imo State. “But thousands of our members depend on this business to feed their families. The government should help us transition to legal transport options.”

Responding to public concerns, Mr. Nwaneri reassured residents that the enforcement would be executed humanely but uncompromisingly. “This is about protecting lives, not punishing people,” he said. “We are giving adequate notice, but anyone who violates the directive after November 8 will face the law. Security cannot be sacrificed for convenience.”

He also revealed that a multi-agency task force, comprising personnel from the Imo State Traffic Management Authority (ISTMA), the Nigeria Police Force, and local government security outfits, will oversee the enforcement operations.

The Imo State Government has called on all residents, community leaders, and transport unions to cooperate with the enforcement team to ensure a peaceful and successful operation. It also urged the public to report any cases of misconduct or extortion by task force members to the appropriate authorities for swift action.

As the November 8 deadline approaches, the message from the Imo State Government remains unequivocal: security and public order will take precedence over unlawful mobility.