Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has directed an immediate ban on the operations of commercial motorcyclists, otherwise known as Okada, within Umuahia and Aba metropolis.

This was disclosed  by Kazie Uko, his Chief Press Secretary, on Sunday evening, stating that the ban takes effect from Monday, August 14, 2023, and that any motorcycle seen on the streets of Umuahia and Aba townships being used for such a purpose will be impounded by the security agencies. He directed security agencies in the two cities to arrest any individual caught violating the order for possible prosecution. Though no reason was given in the statement for the ban on okada use, some sources said it was part of the measures being applied by the state government to tackle crime in parts of the two cities.

However, some critics of the state government’s ban have said that the policy would further increase unemployment among youths. The critics also urged the Abia State government to ensure that the ban is not restricted to only civilian okada riders but also to some security personnel who use okada.