Browse
Log in / Register
Share
The Ondo State government has escalated its crackdown on traffic violations, warning commercial motorcyclists (Okada riders), tricycle operators, and other road users in Akure that strict enforcement of traffic laws will now be paired with immediate arrests and prosecution. The new push, announced on Tuesday during a media briefing at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, targets persistent disobedience of traffic signals and illegal use of public spaces.
Special Adviser to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Transportation, Olumuyiwa Ogunyemi, stated that the government has already completed an extensive public sensitization campaign. “It is no longer business as usual,” he said. “Motorists, Okada riders, and tricycle operators must now adapt to modern traffic management.” The warning follows the inauguration of several new infrastructure projects, including upgraded traffic lights and improved road networks across the state capital.
Ogunyemi highlighted specific violations: failure to wait for the green signal before moving, illegal parking at designated bus stops, and conversion of road corridors into trading zones or repair workshops. “We have seen people turning bus stops into business centers and road shoulders into mechanic workshops. This is unacceptable,” he emphasized.
The new enforcement strategy introduces geographic restrictions for commercial motorcyclists near the Government House axis in Alagbaka. Riders approaching through the Police Officers’ Mess route will be limited to approved drop-off points, while those coming from the First Bank area must terminate operations at the Teaching Service Commission axis. Additionally, all tricycle and motorcycle operators currently working around the post office area will be relocated under the revised traffic scheme.
These measures align with findings from the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Status Report on Road Safety, which notes that low- and middle-income countries account for 93% of road traffic deaths despite having only 60% of the world’s vehicles. Nigeria experiences an estimated 36,000 road traffic fatalities annually, many involving commercial two- and three-wheelers. By contrast, cities like New York and London have combined pedestrian-first zoning, dedicated cycle lanes, and strict enforcement of red-light violations to reduce congestion and crashes. Ondo State’s approach mirrors successful interventions in Lagos, where impounding of errant Okada riders reduced road accidents by over 40% in pilot zones between 2022 and 2024.
Ogunyemi stressed that public cooperation is essential. “Designated bus stops are for picking up and dropping off passengers only. Goods display on roadsides and illegal parking will be cleared,” he said. He also noted that the state will begin deploying additional traffic enforcement officers and possibly automated cameras at major junctions in the coming weeks.
The announcement has drawn mixed reactions. Resident associations in Akure have largely welcomed the move, citing recent near-miss incidents involving tricycles running red lights. However, some commercial operators expressed concern about the relocation orders, stating that the new designated points may reduce passenger access. The government has assured that alternative locations have been reviewed and will be clearly signposted.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists press center, where the briefing was held, has also urged the government to address the availability of authorized parking spaces for commercial vehicles before enforcement begins. Ogunyemi replied that the state is finalizing dedicated tricycle and motorcycle parks in strategic areas.
With the administration of Governor Aiyedatiwa prioritizing road infrastructure and traffic management as part of broader urban renewal, the current enforcement drive marks a shift from awareness campaigns to punitive measures. Road users in Akure are now on notice: ignore traffic lights and regulations at the risk of arrest, prosecution, and potential impoundment of vehicles.
