Okada riders, that is, commercial motorcyclists, are banned from operating at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, says FAAN
By Uzor Odigbo
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has declared that activities of commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as okada, around the Murtala Muhammed Airport axis remain prohibited.
In a statement issued by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs of the organisation, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, in reaction to a story published by a newspaper which stated that insecurity loomed as Okada riders have taken over the Murtala Muhammed Airport, assured that there is no looming insecurity at the airport.
According to her, the picture of okada riders attached to the online story was not that of the Murtala Muhammed Airport or other airports in the country, while maintaining that the Lagos airport was safe and secure.
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Yakubu said: “FAAN will like to use this opportunity to re-emphasise that commercial motorcycling around the airport axis has been prohibited, and remains so, as indicated by the various signages within and around the airport corridor.
“Enforcement of this policy has also been intensive and comprehensive. In the year 2021, a total of 69 motorcycles were confiscated and transferred to the Lagos State Government for crushing by the Aviation Security Department.
“Additionally, a good number of motorcycles have been seized again and will soon be transferred to Lagos State Government for crushing”.
The spokesperson revealed that FAAN has a standing committee comprising officials from aviation security (AVSEC) and other security agencies that are constantly patrolling to arrest erring operators, with a view to putting a final stop to this menace.
FAAN reassured its customers that the Murtala Muhammed Airport is safe and secure.
“We also plead with our esteemed stakeholders to please desist from deliberately spreading false and misleading information about our airports and our industry. It is not in our national interest”, she added