HURIDE Asks Anambra CP To Stop Use of Okada By Security Operstives

Uzor Dede

The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Mr. John Abang, has been called upon to as a matter of urgency step up action to stop those security operatives violating the use of motorbikes of any type in the State especially the Army, police,vigilante and other paramilitary agents.

Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT), Human Right, Liberty Access and Peace Defenders Foundation (HURIDE), Dede Uzor A Uzor in a statement made available to journalists in Onitsha, the Anambra State commercial hub, decried the continuous use of motorbikes popularly known as Okada especially by security operatives,who suppose to ensure maximum compliance.



He said the use of motorbikes in the State was banned by the State Government for security purposes at the instance of security outfits in the State themselves for security purposes.

He said "It is unfortunate that some security operatives in the State still use Okada when the State Government has banned it. It portends a great danger and threatens the security of the State"

Dede Uzor said their investigations showed security men use Okada in areas like Onitsha, Awka, the State capital,Ogidi, Obosi and some other places, which the ban of Okada was extended to ensure watertight security of lives and property in the state.

The activist called on the Police Commissioner to set up a special team that will checkmate this obvious violation by security operatives.

Dede Uzor warned that if the use of Okada by security operatives was allowed to continue, it will water down the measure and others will soon follow, bringing us to square one.
" It would have destroyed all the achievements made in this regard.

And it may be difficult to start banning Okada again" since some criminal elements like cultists use same to unleash and lunch attack against innocent citizens, he said.