By
Tok Morgan,
Broadcast Journalist
In the wake of the tragic incident that befell Fwimbe Thomas in the serene city of Jos, where he fell victim to a brutal attack by individuals suspected to be motorcycle riders, commonly known as “Okada,” who trailed him from Tudun Wada, another distressing account emerged. This time, it involved Precious, who narrowly escaped a similar ordeal at the hands of Okada operators in Tudun Wada. This unsettling trend in Jos has raised serious concerns, particularly among car owners. It appears that these Okada riders, despite a supposed ban on their operations (albeit with lax enforcement), have become a growing nuisance and peril to other road users. If left unchecked, this practice threatens to plunge the state’s transportation sector into chaos.
For anyone who navigates the streets of Tudun Wada, Sparkling Junction, Zaramaganda Junction, Building Materials Junction, Bukuru Low-Cost, DB Zang Junction, PRTV roundabout, and other areas, it’s evident how reckless and unruly these riders can be on the roads. Yet, no one dares to confront or rectify their behavior. Regrettably, any incident involving them now leads to violent reprisals, which is absolutely unacceptable.
In contrast to the previous administration, which disregarded calls to maintain the ban on motorcycle operations and regulate KeKe Napep when other states were cracking down on them, the present administration must take swift action to address this pressing issue. The government should establish a task force with the authority to enforce the ban. While it’s unfortunate that some police personnel own these bikes, the government must find a way to address this issue effectively.
