The Oyo State Government has reiterated its unwavering resolve to clamp down on criminal elements hiding under the guise of commercial motorcycle (Okada) operations, by strictly enforcing its QR code jacket policy across the state.
This renewed commitment comes in response to a disturbing rise in criminal activities perpetrated by unidentified and unregistered motorcycle riders, especially in urban centers like Ibadan.
In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the Chairman of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA), Major Adekoya Adesagba (Rtd.), the government directed that full enforcement and intensified sensitization begin immediately to ensure widespread compliance.
According to the statement, the directive follows reinforcement from the Office of the Governor through the Senior Special Assistant on ICT and E-Governance, Mr. Adebayo Akande, mandating OYRTMA and relevant agencies to ramp up their monitoring operations.
The QR code jacket initiative, launched in November 2023, was designed to enhance public safety by ensuring only verified operators are allowed to function legally. All Okada and tricycle operators are required to register under the Oyo State Residents’ Registration Scheme to qualify for the QR code-embedded jackets.
Although the government initially provided the jackets free of charge to encourage mass adoption, compliance has remained disappointingly low—creating a loophole exploited by criminal gangs.
“Armed robbers recently snatched a trader’s earnings at gunpoint at Bodija Market using an unregistered motorcycle,” Adesagba said. “In another case, a fake Okada rider robbed a passenger in the Challenge area. Fortunately, a potential kidnapping attempt was thwarted near the UI-Agbowo axis after vigilant residents raised an alarm over suspicious riders without jackets,” he added.
The QR code jackets enable:
- Real-time identity verification of commercial riders
- Deterrence of criminal activities
- Emergency response tracking
- Boosted public confidence in Okada transport
To restore law and order and ensure commuter safety, the Oyo State Government has laid out the following enforcement measures:
- Daily patrols and impoundment of motorcycles without the official QR code jackets
- Stiff penalties including fines and prosecution for non-compliant operators
- Strategic collaboration with security agencies to sustain state-wide monitoring and arrests
Residents are strongly advised to:
- Avoid boarding motorcycles without government-approved QR code jackets
- Share awareness messages using the hashtag #NoBarcodeNoRide on all platforms
Prince Dotun Oyelade, Oyo State’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, who signed the press release assured residents that the QR code initiative is not just a regulatory tool but a crucial safety measure.
“We are putting the safety of our people first. No genuine commercial rider should be afraid of this policy. Those who defy it are either non-compliant or have something to hide. Henceforth, anyone operating outside this system will face the full weight of the law,” Oyelade said.
The Oyo State Government urges the cooperation of all stakeholders—transport unions, community leaders, and the general public—in safeguarding the state from criminal infiltration via the transport sector.
