Following a surge in criminal activities involving unregistered operators in Oyo State, the State Government, on Saturday, vowed to prosecute and bar any commercial motorcycle rider popularly called an Okada rider operating without a QR code-embedded jacket within the state.

A statement released by the Chairman of the state Traffic Management Authority, Adekoya Adesagba, in Ibadan, the state capital, therefore, urged the residents to patronise only Okada riders with official QR code jackets.

The QR code embedded jackets for Okada riders in Oyo State

He reaffirmed the commitment of the agency to enforcing the policy for the commercial motorcycle riders.

Adesagba explained that recent incidents include armed robbers on an unmarked motorcycle snatching a trader’s earnings at gunpoint in Bodija Market, while a passenger was also robbed by a fake Okada rider in the Challenge Area.

The chairman said, “A kidnapping attempt was foiled after locals reported suspicious riders without QR jackets on the UI-Agbowo Axis.

“OYRTMA urges residents to patronise only Okada riders with these official jackets. The benefits include real-time rider verification, crime prevention, emergency tracking, and increased passenger trust.

“Daily raids and impoundment of non-compliant motorcycles. Fines and possible prosecution for violators

“The government assures that this policy is for the safety of all residents, and defaulters will be barred from operating on the state roads,” he insisted.

Adesagba stressed that the government would intensify enforcement and public awareness campaigns to ensure compliance.

The chairman said the directive, reinforced by the Office of the Governor through the Senior Special Assistant on ICT & E-Governance, Adebayo Akande mandated “OYRTMA to intensify enforcement and public awareness campaigns to ensure compliance.

“The policy, introduced in November 2023, requires Okada and tricycle operators to register under the State Residents’ Registration Scheme.

“Despite initial provisions of these free jackets, compliance has remained low, emboldening criminals, and leading to increased Okada-related crimes,” he added.