Hamza Muhammad Uba
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has restricted the operations of commercial motorcycles, popularly known as okada, between 10:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. daily across the state as part of measures to strengthen security.
Makinde announced the restriction on Friday while signing Executive Order 002 of 2026 on the Regulation and Enforcement of Vehicle Registration and Traffic Management in Oyo State.
The Governor said the order became necessary following the discovery that unregistered vehicles and motorcycles were being used to perpetrate criminal activities in the state, citing the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
He said the state government was making efforts to secure the release of the abductees but must also draw lessons from the incident and take steps to strengthen the state’s security architecture.
According to him, the Executive Order represents another step by his administration to improve security and public safety.
“It is pursuant to Section 5.2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, Section 35, Part 5 of the Road Traffic Law of Oyo State, Cap. 148, Laws of Oyo State, 2000, and all other enabling laws and powers in that regard, I sign the Executive Order No. 2 of 2026 on the Regulation and Enforcement of Vehicle Registration and Traffic Management in Oyo State,” the governor declared.
Makinde assured residents and Nigerians that efforts were ongoing to secure the safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers.
He said the state government had been working closely with security agencies, urging residents not to mistake its silence for inaction, as those in captivity had neither been forgotten nor abandoned.
Collective Responsibility
The Governor therefore, called on residents to support security agencies by reporting suspicious movements and activities through the emergency number 615, stressing that security remained a collective responsibility.
“As we continue to pray for the safe return of our teachers and children, let us remain vigilant, united, and hopeful. With God’s help and the continued efforts of our security agencies, we remain committed to bringing them home safely,” he assured.
The Oyo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Abiodun Aikomo said the Executive Order was enacted to strengthen traffic regulation, management and enforcement of vehicle registration.
He noted that many vehicles used in criminal activities lacked registration numbers, making it difficult for security agencies to track them.
Aikomo explained that the order provides a legal framework for enforcing vehicle registration requirements, traffic regulations and related offences.
He added that designated enforcement authorities had been empowered to arrest and prosecute offenders and impound vehicles that violate the provisions of the Executive Order.
Among those present at the signing ceremony were the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde, Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Kazeem Adeniyi; Senior Executive Assistant to the Governor on General Duties, Chief Bayo Lawal, Special Adviser on Security, Mr Abayomi Fagbenro, and Executive Assistant on Security Matters, CP Sunday Odukoya (rtd).
Others included the Executive Adviser on Security Coordination, Major-General. Lukman Omoniyi (rtd), Commandant of the Oyo State Security Network (Amotekun), Col. Olayinka Olayanju (rtd); Chairperson of the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority, Hon. Justice Aderonke Aderemi (rtd), and Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority, Major Adesagba Adekoya (rtd).
