Fulani okada riders invade Igboland.
2 min read
According to Umuaka Times investigations, there is a heavy presence of foreign commercial motorcycle operators otherwise known as okada riders in Imo State. The okada operators many believe are from the Fulani ethnic nationality across West Africa. Umuaka Times spotted a large number of Fulani okada riders in the areas where okada riding is not prohibited in Owerri metropolis. There is also a report which emerged last year that the okada operators have also extended their businesses to towns like Nwaorieubi and more.
Some people who spoke with Umuaka Times last week seriously wondered why there has been an influx of Fulani okada riders in the state as the state is not a densely populated area. Some observers have raised eye brows to question if there was any form of hidden intention behind this motive.
To worsen the frightening situation, some Nigerian soldiers intercepted 73 youths from Nasarawa State in 5 trucks travelling to Imo state last week. According to the video clip of the arrest of the youths which went viral last week, the youths claimed they were going to Imo State to start okada business. Umuaka Times gathered that military officers who effected the arrest of the Nasarawa youths told the press that the interception was carried out by special efforts of the 72 Special Forces Brigade, Nigeria Army, Makurdi on Monday night, June 14, at Agan Toll Gate, Makurdi, the capital city of Benue State. The military officers disclosed that the suspects had in their possessions, 47 Bajaj motorcycles on board the five trucks. The effrontery of these soldiers was commended by the Benue State Deputy Governor Benson Abounu. The deputy governor told the press that despite the attempts by the suspects to evade arrest, the soldiers were able to act gallantly and effected their arrests.
As it stands now, some Imolites have expressed deep concerns over this development and have called on the authorities to start profiling okada riders in the state.
