Beware of The "Okada" Motorcycle Thieves

Motorcycle which has become very popular means of road transportation in all cities in Nigeria goes by various names across the country. In Lagos it is called “Okada” or “Bike”. As a means of transportation, it easily maneuvers into places that some cars and buses can hardly reach thus making it a must ride to people who live deep inside the streets when they leave home early in the morning to get to their bus stops or late at night when returning home. This important function besides, some of the riders have turned these bikes to easy escape vehicles when on criminal escapades. They are variously used to rob, kidnap, snatch bags and so on. This has lead to various state governments banning their operations to a time-band daily. This notwithstanding, they have continued to be used as tools of crimes.

Although I am aware of the use of motorcycles for crimes of various kinds, I little envisaged that I would be a victim in a most humiliating manner. It was a Friday. On closing from the days work, I was invited by a senior friend to have a drink with him at Oregun in Lagos. I joined him at about 8pm. After about two and half hours, I decided to take my leave since I did not go with my car. On getting to Ojota on my way home, I discovered I wasn’t with a pack I took along to the spot where we had drinks. I decided to take a bike back to the place. When I disembarked I gave a 1000 naira note to the rider since I had no change with me. I had hardly given him the money when he zoomed off. I watched until the tail light of his motorcycle disappeared.

Though I was able to recover the pack from a Good Samaritan who picked it up, I went home very dejected that I could be so easily dispossessed of my money. Something told me that the rider must be a robber or a hardened criminal who may just be looking for an opportunity to operate when I fell into his hands. He is likely to be carrying a weapon too. The lessons I learnt which I want readers to apply is that if you would collect change from an “Okadaman” he has to switch off his engine before you give him money or get some change handy so you do not expose the fact that you have some good money with you if our are to board a bike at any time, particularly at night. If all I had was the 1000 naira at that time of day, I would have been in a more precarious situation trying to get home that night. Do not be a victim.