The Oyo State Government has announced a strict enforcement campaign aimed at sanitizing commercial motorcycle operations across the state.
As part of this initiative, any commercial motorcycle rider—popularly known as Okada—found operating without the government-approved jacket embedded with a Quick Response (QR) code will face arrest, prosecution, and possible forfeiture of their motorcycle.
This was made known by the Chairman of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA), Dr. Adekoya Adesagba, during a press briefing in Ibadan. He emphasized that the move is essential to curb the growing number of criminal incidents involving unregistered and untraceable Okada operators.
According to Dr. Adesagba, the QR code-embedded jackets were introduced as part of a broader safety and identity verification strategy under the Oyo State Residents’ Registration Scheme, which began in November 2023. The policy mandates all commercial motorcycle and tricycle riders to register and operate only while wearing the official jacket, which allows for digital verification in real-time.
Despite the initial provision of these jackets at no cost to riders, compliance has reportedly remained worryingly low. “This nonchalance has created loopholes that criminal elements have exploited,” he said. “We have witnessed an increase in Okada-related crimes, including robberies and attempted kidnappings carried out by unregistered riders posing as commercial operators.”
In one recent case cited by Adesagba, an attempted kidnapping along the University of Ibadan–Agbowo corridor was foiled after community members raised the alarm about suspicious motorcyclists not wearing the designated QR-coded jackets.
In other incidents, robbers operating on unmarked motorcycles targeted a trader at Bodija Market and a commuter at Challenge, both of whom were victims of Okada-related theft.
OYRTMA is therefore urging the general public to use only registered Okada services and to verify that the rider is wearing the state-issued QR code jacket. “The benefits of this policy are far-reaching,” Adesagba noted. “They include enhanced passenger trust, swift emergency response, improved rider accountability, and, most importantly, a significant reduction in crime.”
Daily enforcement operations, including spot-checks and raids, are ongoing across major routes and urban centers. Dr. Adesagba warned that violators will have their motorcycles seized and face stiff penalties, including fines and court action.
“We are committed to the safety of all residents, and any operator flouting the law will be barred from operating within Oyo State,” he added.
Backing the initiative, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on ICT and E-Governance, Adebayo Akande, affirmed that the directive is fully supported by the Office of the Governor. He stated that the integration of digital identification tools like QR codes represents the government’s commitment to a safer and smarter transport ecosystem.
To ensure widespread compliance, the state government will also be stepping up public awareness campaigns. These will educate both riders and commuters on the purpose of the policy and how to participate or report violations.
The overarching goal, according to government officials, is to enhance public safety, rebuild confidence in the use of motorcycles for daily commuting, and dismantle the criminal networks hiding under the guise of commercial transportation.