Some kidnap victims shared their thoughts on how Okada riders have been used as a stooge to launch kidnap operations
Further probe revealed that some of the commercial motorcyclists in communities are used as informants and surveillance to monitor police operatives
It was gathered that the recent attack on Kaduna Airport by some suspected bandits was aided by Okada riders
The current state of insecurity has been largely attributed to incessant attacks by suspected outlaw militants in the east and south-south, suspected Fulani herders in the west and north-central, and incessant bandit and Boko Haram attack and kidnapping in the core north.
However, there seems to be a question about how these forces mobilize or recruit their disciples that they use to perpetrate their daredevil activities.
In this special report, some kidnap victims narrated how bandits and kidnappers use the services of Okada riders (commercial motorcyclists) to perpetuate their evil activities.
“When we were kidnapped close to Ajaokuta in Kogi, we were taken deep into the forest,” a kidnap victim, Ameh Onoja narrated to Topnewstv.com.ng.
He narrated further:
“At some point, the woman that was kidnapped with me could no longer walk. But the kidnappers seeing that I was still strong told me to back her.
“I did that for several hours until we arrived at their camp late in the evening. We were all hungry, including the kidnappers themselves.”
He narrated further that in about 10 to 15 minutes of their arrival in the camp, one of the kidnappers instructed one other to call the okada guy.
He said:
“He just told his colleague to call the okada guy. He dialed the number and the only thing he said was “show”. In less than 30 minutes, the okada arrived with some loaves of bread and water. We all ate. We were all tired. We slept off after the okada left. It was when I woke up and saw that the kidnappers were deep asleep that I escaped.”
Topnewstv.com.ng reports that this narrative indicates that despite the good intention associated with the establishment of the okada business across Nigeria, suspected men of the underworld have infiltrated the business.
How Okada started
Okada is a popular motorcycle business used mainly for intra-transport purposes. A local name given either to the owners of the business or the motorcycles.
The word Okada is a name of a popular town in Edo state. It is the headquarters of Ovia North-East Local Government Area.
Topnewstv.com.ng gathered that the Okada business was introduced in the 1980s when transportation within towns and cities was becoming a major issue.
Besides that the motorcycle business became more popular in Okada town, it is historically linked to the famous Okada airlines owned back then by Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion.
While the name is generally accepted as Okada in most states of the federation, some northern states like Kano refer to the business and those engaged in it as Achaba.
Topnewstv.com.ng cannot confirm as at press time why it’s called Achaba in some northern states.
