Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Commercial motorcycle riders, popularly known as okada riders, have barricaded the busy 8 Miles axis of the Murtala Muhammed Highway in Calabar, Cross River State, in a massive protest against the impoundment of their motorcycles by government agencies, which they say violates a directive from Governor Bassey Otu. The protest, which began in the early hours of Tuesday, 7 July 2026, has caused significant traffic disruption along the highway, a major artery connecting Calabar to other parts of the state and beyond.
The riders, who blocked the road with their motorcycles and burning tyres, are protesting the continued seizure of their bikes by enforcement agents despite the governor's approval for commercial motorcycle operations within designated routes, including the 8 Miles area. According to the protesters, the enforcement teams, operating under various government agencies, have been impounding motorcycles indiscriminately, even when riders are operating within approved corridors. They accused the agents of extortion and harassment, claiming that the enforcement has become a revenue-generation exercise rather than a measure to ensure public safety and order.
The Cross River State Government had, in June 2023, imposed a total ban on commercial motorcycle operations within the Calabar metropolis, citing security concerns and the need to restore urban order. However, following widespread outcry and the need to address the transportation needs of residents, the government later designated specific routes where commercial motorcycles could operate. Among the approved corridors is the 8 Miles Area, which includes Nasarawa, Bacoco, Ikot Eneobong, Basin Authority Interior, and Tinapa Road, among others. The government had clearly stated that operators are permitted to function within these designated routes.
Despite this clear directive, enforcement agents have continued to impound motorcycles, even within the approved zones. This has led to growing frustration among okada riders, many of whom rely on the trade as their primary source of livelihood. The protest at 8 Miles is the latest in a series of grievances against the government's enforcement agencies, which have been accused of arbitrary impoundment, extortion, and harassment. In February 2026, the Cross River State Government publicly disowned numerous revenue and enforcement agents, accusing them of extortion, harassment, and unlawful impoundment of commercial vehicles. The directive followed a protest by commercial minibus drivers, which disrupted movement in key parts of Calabar.
The current protest by okada riders highlights the recurring tension between commercial transport operators and government enforcement agencies in Cross River State. The riders have vowed to continue the protest until the government intervenes and orders the immediate release of all impounded motorcycles. They are also demanding a halt to what they describe as the illegal and corrupt activities of enforcement agents.
As of the time of filing this report, the Cross River State Government had not issued an official statement on the protest. However, the protest has already caused significant disruption to commercial activities in the 8 Miles area, with many businesses forced to shut down and commuters stranded. The police have been deployed to the area to maintain order and prevent the situation from escalating into violence.
The okada riders' protest at 8 Miles underscores the broader challenges facing commercial transport operators in Cross River State, where the conflict between government regulations and the livelihoods of thousands of riders remains unresolved. While the government has reiterated the ban on commercial motorcycles in certain areas, it has also approved designated routes for their operation. However, the lack of clear communication and the perceived excesses of enforcement agents continue to fuel tensions, making protests like the one at 8 Miles a recurring feature of the state's transport landscape.
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