A lance corporal was among the motorbike riders who were ordered to be arrested by Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday for riding the Lagos-Badagry Motorway in the incorrect direction.
A video showed many of the riders and passengers abandoning their motorcycles and fleeing as the governor’s security operatives gave chase.
A few escaped, while a handful were apprehended.
Driving against traffic, commonly known as “one-way” driving, is a notorious traffic offense that not only disrupts the flow of vehicles but also poses significant risks to road users. The incident on the Lagos-Badagry Motorway prompted Governor Sanwo-Olu to take immediate action. The involvement of a lance corporal among the offenders added an unusual dimension to the situation, raising questions about the discipline within the military ranks.
The decision of Governor Sanwo-Olu to personally intervene in the arrest of the lance corporal and the other offenders sends a strong message about the government’s commitment to enforcing traffic regulations. The act underscores the seriousness with which the state views traffic offenses and the need for all citizens, regardless of their status, to adhere to established rules for the collective safety of the community.
The inclusion of a lance corporal among the individuals ordered to be arrested raises questions about the discipline and adherence to regulations within the military. It highlights the need for internal checks and balances to ensure that members of the armed forces are not only equipped with the responsibility to protect the nation but also to abide by civilian laws and regulations.
His caption read, “This morning, lawless okada riders plying one-way along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway left their motorcycles and passengers upon sighting the convoy of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“One of the offenders—a lance corporal in the Army—was arrested with his bike.”
One of the videos revealed the moment, some motorcyclists drove away with their passengers to escape being arrested by the governor’s security officers. Some of them absconded on foot, abandoning their motorcycles and the passengers.
In another video, Governor Sanwo-Olu ordered the officers to put one of the motorcyclists who claimed to be a soldier into the vehicle, stating that he was going to lock him up.
He said, “Put him there; let your father come and rescue you. You’re telling me you are a soldier; that is the reason I’m going to lock you up.”
Addressing some passengers who patronised the motorcyclists, the governor said, “You people are the ones causing this. Maybe I should arrest two of you and put you in the guardroom.
“You’re entering Okada, and they are taking one way. Is it good? And they’ll now hit you; you’ll go and fall, and you die; they’ll say the government killed you. What a shame!”
The Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Jubril Gawat, had earlier on Tuesday revealed that the governor was at the Lagos State University, Ojo Campus, for the official unveiling of the Femi Gbajabiamila Conference Centre located inside the campus.
