…Warns defaulters will be punished by law

With a view to upholding easy movement, security and orderliness in Owerri metropolis, Imo State Government, through the Office of the Governor on Monitoring and Compliance, in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport, had began renewed enforcement of ban on Okada operations, Commercial Buses, Illegal Parking of Cars by the road and Street Trading in the Capital City of Owerri within 72 hours from 12/11/2025.

This information is relayed to the public by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Monitoring and Compliance, Nze Chinasa Nwaneri, who made it available to Watchdog Newspaper, in Owerri, on Wednesday.

Nwaneri warned that any person, no matter how highly or lowly placed, seen floating the order by government will be punished in accordance to the law of the state, hence he advised that the directives be duly followed to avoid regret.

“The Imo State Government wishes to remind the general public and all commercial motorcycle operators (Okada) that, the enforcement of the existing ban on Okada operations within the state capital will commence within 72 hours from 12/11/2025.

“This enforcement is being carried out by the Office of the Governor on Monitoring and Compliance, in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport. The measure is aimed at addressing the rising cases of criminal activities associated with commercial motorcyclists, including phone and handbag snatching, robbery and gun-running, which pose serious risks to the safety and security of residents in the capital city in addition to ensuring safety of pedestrian road users from risk posed by HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS plying the streets.

“The ban is a reinforcement of the already existing laws of the state prohibiting OKADA operations within the following restricted areas of the capital city: Douglas and Wetheral Roads.

“Bank Road, IMSU Junction, Orji Flyover, Amakohia Market, Akwakuma Round- about, Alaba Market Junction To Naze Poly Round-about.

“All commercial motorcycle operators are strongly advised to comply with this directive. Any Okada, Mini Buses and Street Trader found operating within the restricted areas from November 14, 2025, shall be confiscated, the RIDER/DRIVER and the STREET TRADER prosecuted by the court in accordance with the law.

“Dated this 12th day of November, 2025”, Nwaneri warned.