The Oyo State Road Transport Management Agency (OYRTMA) has reported the arrest of 1,079 motorists for various traffic offenses across 33 local government areas within the past 30 days.
Additionally, the Oyo State Park Management System (PMS) has banned commercial tricyclists (Marwa) and motorcyclists (Okada) from operating on expressways in the state.
Speaking at a Stakeholders Forum organized by the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Agency (OYRLEA) in Ibadan, OYRTMA Chairman Major Adedagba Adekoya (rtd) disclosed that traffic violations such as one-way driving and ignoring traffic lights were among the common offenses recorded.
Tragically, the month also saw seven fatalities, including a nursing mother, at the Iwo Road-Ojoo stretch of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
To curb these violations, Adekoya announced stricter penalties, including a fine of ₦100,000 and the seizure of vehicles for three months for one-way driving offenses. “OYRTMA will no longer tolerate lawlessness. There must be order on our roads,” he emphasized.
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In his address, PMS Chairman Amb. Tomiwa Omolewa declared it a criminal offense for commercial tricyclists and motorcyclists to operate on expressways, urging OYRTMA to arrest and prosecute violators.
Rtd. Hon. Justice Aderonke Aderemi, Chairperson of OYRLEA, announced that traffic and environmental offenders would henceforth be tried in open court.
Stressing the need for compliance with enacted laws, she highlighted the role of the OYRLEA, established by a bill signed into law by Governor Seyi Makinde in April 2024, in ensuring adherence to traffic, environmental, and other regulations.
Justice Aderemi called for cooperation from agencies like the PMS, NDLEA, and NBA, noting, “Ignorance is not an excuse in law. Sensitization is key to attracting local and foreign investments by maintaining law and order.”
The forum aimed to foster collaboration among agencies and promote awareness of the newly enforced rules for safer and more organized road usage in Oyo State.
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