Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Oyo State Government has formally restricted the operation of commercial motorcycles, commonly known as okada, across the state between 10:30pm and 5:30am as part of strengthened security measures aimed at curbing rising criminal activity and improving public safety.
The directive was announced by Governor Seyi Makinde on Friday, June 5, 2026, during a security briefing held in Ibadan, the state capital, where he signed Executive Order No. 002 of 2026. The order immediately took effect across all local government areas in the state.
Governor Makinde said the decision followed renewed security concerns, particularly incidents linked to nighttime mobility of commercial motorcycles, which security agencies have repeatedly associated with criminal facilitation, rapid escape routes, and difficulty in tracking offenders during night operations.
The governor stated that the restriction was part of a broader security restructuring strategy currently being implemented by the state government in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, the Amotekun Corps, and other security agencies operating in Oyo State.
According to the official statement, the ban applies to all commercial motorcycle operators statewide, including urban centres such as Ibadan, Ogbomoso, and Oyo town, as well as rural and semi-urban communities where motorcycles remain a major mode of transportation due to limited public transit options.
The directive was issued at the Governor’s Office in Agodi, Ibadan, where Makinde emphasized that the state could no longer ignore patterns linking night motorcycle movement to violent crimes, including robbery, kidnapping, and illegal arms movement.
He further stressed that the restriction was not intended to punish legitimate transport operators but to strengthen public safety and support ongoing security operations targeting criminal networks operating at night.
Security officials present at the briefing in Ibadan, including representatives of the state security advisory structure, reportedly backed the measure, describing it as a necessary preventive step in response to intelligence reports indicating increased criminal exploitation of motorcycle transport routes after dark.
The Executive Order also mandates security agencies to enforce compliance across the state during the restricted hours, with patrol units expected to monitor major highways, rural roads, and urban corridors. Enforcement is expected to involve coordinated efforts between police formations, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and local security outfits.
Commercial motorcycle operators, many of whom rely on night operations for income in densely populated areas, are expected to be significantly affected by the restriction. In many parts of Oyo State, okada transport remains one of the few available mobility options for residents working late shifts or travelling during off-peak hours.
The government, however, maintained that public safety outweighs economic inconvenience, adding that the measure would be reviewed as security conditions improve.
The decision comes amid ongoing security challenges in parts of Oyo State, including recent incidents of abduction and attacks in rural communities. The state government has in recent weeks intensified its security response, including patrol reinforcement and inter-agency coordination aimed at restoring public confidence.
Governor Makinde also reiterated during the announcement that his administration remains committed to protecting residents and would continue to introduce policy measures aligned with intelligence reports and field assessments from security agencies.
As of June 6, 2026, enforcement of the night restriction has begun, with security operatives deployed across strategic locations to ensure compliance and prevent violations of the new directive.
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