The Oyo State Government has announced that it will begin arresting and prosecuting commercial motorcycle operators—commonly known as Okada—who fail to wear the state-approved jackets embedded with QR codes.

 

Chairman of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA), Adekoya Adesagba, disclosed this in Ibadan, warning residents against patronizing unregistered riders. The QR-coded jackets, he said, allow for real-time identity verification and are part of the government’s strategy to combat rising security threats.

 

“The crackdown is necessary due to increasing criminal activities involving unregistered riders. Just recently, a kidnapping attempt was foiled along the UI-Agbowo axis after vigilant residents reported riders without the official jackets,” Adesagba stated.

 

He also cited other incidents, including an armed robbery at Bodija Market and a passenger being attacked by a fake Okada rider in the Challenge area.

 

To tackle this, OYRTMA has begun daily enforcement operations. “Non-compliant riders will have their motorcycles impounded and face fines or prosecution. Defaulters will be barred from operating on state roads,” Adesagba warned.

 

He emphasized that the QR-coded jacket system enhances security, emergency response, and passenger confidence. “We urge residents to board only Okadas displaying the official jacket,” he added.

 

The initiative is supported by the Office of the Governor, with the Senior Special Assistant on ICT and E-Governance, Adebayo Akande, reiterating the importance of digital verification in ensuring public safety.

 

Launched in November 2023, the policy mandates all Okada and tricycle riders to register under the Oyo State Residents’ Registration Scheme. Although the government initially distributed free jackets, Adesagba lamented the low compliance rate.

 

“This non-compliance has emboldened criminal elements and contributed to a spike in Okada-related crimes,” he said, adding that both enforcement and public sensitization efforts will be intensified in the coming weeks.