As part of his commitment towards getting security messages to the grassroots, the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, Olawale Olokode on Wednesday held a meeting with Okada riders in the State.
The meeting held at the Police headquarters in Osogbo, the state capital, had no fewer than 400 motorcyclists from across the State in attendance.
Olokode said the meeting became necessary in view of recently development across the state, adding that all stakeholders need to synergise with the police towards a safer Osun State.
“I want to urge you to always report security issues observed while moving around. I believe Okada riders get information due to the nature of your work. I want to urge you to always report mode of operation of motorcycle snatchers. This will help us in fighting the criminals threatening your business,” Olokode said.
“I want to urge you to willingly volunteer information to the police to help our operations.”
The Police Commissioner expressed his happiness over the attendance at the meeting, stating that “this type of meeting is needed to bridge the communication gap between the police and the society. To get the information from the police down to the grassroots, stakeholders must be carried along.”
While speaking, some of the leaders of Okada riders bemoaned the hike in price of Osun State number plate, adding that obtaining Osun number plate is higher than all other States in the country.
They also called on police authority to help them tame the wave of Okada snatching in the State, noting that arrested snatchers should be given stiffer punishment.
“When some of these thieves are arrested, what we see is that they are sent to prison for few months and after that they return to street. This action put those of us who reported them in bigger dangers. We hope something stiffer is done sir”, Ajayi Raphael from the said.
Cross section of the attendees
