Ibadan, Nigeria – June 28, 2025 — In a renewed effort to combat insecurity and criminal activity, the Oyo State Government has announced plans to enforce a regulation that will bar commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as Okada riders, from operating without officially issued coded jackets.
The initiative, unveiled as part of the state’s broader security strategy, aims to identify genuine riders and eliminate the use of motorcycles for criminal operations, which have become a growing concern in several communities across the state.
According to the government, the coded jackets will carry unique identifiers, enabling easy verification of licensed operators and discouraging impersonation by criminal elements.
Speaking on the development, an official of the Oyo State Road Transport Management Authority (OYRTMA) said:
“The measure is not intended to harass law-abiding riders but to ensure the safety of lives and property. Only riders who have been properly registered and issued a coded reflective jacket will be allowed to operate on designated routes.”
The state government has urged all commercial riders to comply with the new regulation, noting that enforcement will begin shortly after a sensitisation campaign and distribution of the jackets.
Security experts and community leaders have lauded the initiative, describing it as a proactive step toward restoring order and improving public safety across urban and semi-urban areas of the state.
The move comes amid a series of ongoing reforms by the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration to strengthen internal security and ensure the welfare of residents.
