Richmond C. Amadi is an independent journalist, Book Publisher, member of RSU Alumni, Researcher (currently researching with Researchgate.net), Writer, Motivational Speaker. He is a BSc Holder in Office and Information Management, and Diploma holder in Management all from Rivers State University. Currently doing his MSc with RSU. Contact him on Richmond.amadi@ust.edu.ng or Amadirichmondc@gmail.com All Social Platforms: @amadirichmondc
Twitter has come blazing with fire as Nigerians reacts over the arrest of 123 men from Jigawa State, who had come into Lagos State with 48 motorbikes in a truck.
The Okada Riders were earlier apprehended on Friday by the Lagos State Environment Sanitation and Special Offenses Taskforce for “illegal mass movement of Okada riders.”
The State Commissioners for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tunji Bello and Transportation, Dr. Abimbola Oladehinde, jointly coordinated the arrest, the verified Twitter handle of the Lagos State government revealed.
The Truck and the 123 occupants, according to reports, were moved to the office of the Taskforce in Oshodi for interrogation after apprehension.
Nigerians took to their Twitter handles to react since photos and videos of the arrest went viral on social media
See tweets:
That Lagos video is disgusting and also illegal. However, let’s face a tough question that might never be answered.
Who is a Nigerian?
International Passport? BVN? Birth Certificate? NIMC?
— Olúseun Onígbińdé (@seunonigbinde) August 31, 2019
This is an insensitive tweet. These are Nigerians to whom the constitution guarantees freedom of mobility. What Lagos should do is to set up a strict licensing regime for bike operators, this will reduce the no. of reckless riders, generate revenue and improve safety of commute.
— Mist’Dee (@dayodipe) August 30, 2019
Pls What is illegal about mass movt of people from one part of the country to another if they’re citizens?
I think you need to be more explicit with regards to their specific crime(s)
I also feel it is dehumanizing to transport ANY HUMAN BEING like that
We can do better Lagos https://t.co/KLokYCnuvm
— The Revolutionary Seeker (@The_Seeker76) August 30, 2019
Most of them are undocumented. They are lords unto themselves. Try to caution them on their activities, and they unleash mayhem. This isn’t about being politically correct. They guys are very dangerous. https://t.co/jMYApkCnpU
— Uzochi Okoroma (@Uzochi_O) August 31, 2019
Everything about this video is wrong, if the state had concerns about this men. They should interview them and not parade them before cameras.
Unless they are not Nigerians, there is nothing illegal if 100 citizens move as a community to another part of 🇳🇬 to find jobs. https://t.co/3RLyaXX79k
— Rosanwo (@rosanwo) August 31, 2019
1. It’s very disheartening! I watched a video clip of northerners being detained and humiliated as they arrived Lagos state. Reason simply being, they arrived the state for Okada business. pic.twitter.com/NgrxCAeR2q
— Uncle Anass💕 (@UncleAnass) August 31, 2019
Father, two sons, die in boat mishap in Niger
Is Okada illegal in Lagos? Was anytin incriminating found on dem? Why is Lagos profiling, detaining Northerners? Northern petty traders normally travel in truck to save cost. I don’t want to believe what Ambode said about Sanwo-Olu’s mental state, but this action is sheer MADNESS— Jaafar Jaafar (@JaafarSJaafar) August 31, 2019
There’s something deeply, deeply troubling about this – when did being “Okada riders….from the North” become an offence? Criminalising identity & poverty is fast becoming a norm in #Nigeria. That’s a 1-way street to mutual destruction. https://t.co/VEswGZW2hr
— Chidi Odinkalu (@ChidiOdinkalu) August 31, 2019
Lol from a buffet of crimes mana. Being a northerner, an okada operator, illegally entering Lagos without a valid visa, being poor, you name it. https://t.co/b4N8jqdFn6
— Peacock (@dawisu) August 31, 2019
