Makinde and other state stakeholders
Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde (sitting) signs the Executive Order 002 of 2026 on the Regulation and Enforcement of Vehicle Registration and Traffic Management on Friday, at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan. With him are Professor Musibau Babatunde, Secretary to the State Government; Rt Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin, Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly; Barrister Biodun Aikomo, Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice; Hon Justice Aderonke Aderemi (Rtd), Chairperson, Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority.
•…Security agencies to impound unregistered vehicles, motorcycles
•…Police dismiss false report on Oriire abduction investigation
OYO State governor, Seyi Makinde, on Friday, announced a ban on commercial motorcycle operations at night and directed security agencies to impound unregistered vehicles and motorcycles as part of fresh measures to tackle rising insecurity in the state.
The new measures come amid heightened concerns over security following the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in Ahoro-Esinele in Oriire Local Government Area.
Makinde unveiled the measures after signing Executive Order No. 002 of 2026, aimed at enhancing security, improving traffic control and enforcing compliance with vehicle registration laws across the state.
The executive order, signed on Friday, introduces a strengthened legal framework for enforcing traffic and vehicle registration regulations. It also empowers relevant government agencies to arrest offenders, impound vehicles and prosecute violators in line with existing laws.
Announcing the directive, the governor said the order was intended to ensure stricter adherence to traffic regulations while supporting broader efforts to maintain law and order throughout the state.
“The executive order establishes a robust legal framework for the effective enforcement of vehicle registration and traffic regulations, while authorising relevant agencies to arrest offenders, impound vehicles and prosecute violators in accordance with existing laws,” Makinde said.
A key provision of the order is the restriction placed on the operations of commercial motorcycle riders, popularly known as okada operators. Under the new regulation, commercial motorcycles will be prohibited from operating between 10:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. anywhere in Oyo State.
According to the governor, the measure is specifically designed to reduce criminal activities often associated with late-night movements and further strengthen public safety.
“The restriction is designed to curb criminal activities and further enhance public safety,” he said.
Makinde linked the decision to recent security concerns in the state, particularly the abduction of teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area more than three weeks ago.
“Recent security challenges, particularly the abduction incident in Oriire Local Government Area, underscore the need for additional proactive measures to safeguard residents and maintain law and order,” the governor noted.
He also appealed to residents to support the state’s security architecture by promptly reporting suspicious activities through the toll-free emergency line, 615.
While appreciating the efforts of security personnel across the state, Makinde commended members of the Amotekun Corps and other security agencies for their continued commitment to protecting lives and property.
“Citizens should actively support the state’s security architecture by reporting suspicious activities through the toll-free emergency number, 615,” he urged.
The executive order takes immediate effect as part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen security, improve road safety and ensure full compliance with traffic and vehicle registration regulations across the state.
The state police command has commenced an enforcement operation targeting unmarked vehicles, fake or obscured number plates, and the unauthorised covering of vehicle registration plates.
A statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the operation is aimed at ensuring strict compliance with lawful vehicle identification standards and strengthening public safety and security across the state.
The police said the exercise forms part of ongoing efforts to rid the state of violent crime and other criminal activities.
“Accordingly, any person or persons found violating these directives will be promptly arrested, while such vehicles or motorcycles will be impounded in line with extant laws and operational procedures.
“Furthermore, the Command will sustain intermittent stop-and-search operations, intelligence-led patrols and coordinated raids on identified criminal black spots across the state.”
“There will also be increased police visibility and strategic deployment of personnel in key locations across both urban and rural areas,” Ayanlade stated.
The command recalled that it had earlier issued a similar directive on January 9 following a kidnap incident in the Bodija area of Ibadan and concerns over the use of unregistered vehicles in the perpetration of abductions within the metropolis.
In the statement, the police announced that following the directive of the then Commissioner of Police, now Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Femi Haruna, a statewide enforcement operation against vehicles without valid registration numbers would commence from January 12.
The operation was also designed to target vehicles and motorcycles bearing covered, obscured, defaced, fake, dealer’s or unauthorised National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) number plates, as well as any registration plate concealed without lawful authorisation.
It further covers motorcyclists who wear hoods or masks in a manner capable of concealing their identities while riding.
Meanwhile, the command has disowned widely circulated publication purporting to contain operational details of ongoing investigations into the Oriire abduction, describing it as false, misleading and entirely fictitious.
The publication reportedly contained alleged identities of suspects, communication interception details and purported financial transactions linked to the ongoing investigation.
A separate statement issued on Friday, also signed by Ayanlade, said the operational claims and technical assertions contained in the report did not emanate from the command or any authorised security agency involved in the investigation.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the investigation into the unfortunate incident remains active, sensitive and intelligence-driven.
“As is standard practice in matters of this nature, operational details, identities of suspects, investigative leads and financial intelligence components are strictly protected to safeguard ongoing efforts, prevent the compromise of field operations and ensure the successful apprehension of all perpetrators,” Ayanlade said.
He warned members of the public, bloggers and online publishers against disseminating unverified or operationally sensitive information capable of misleading the public, causing panic or undermining active security operations.
“The command therefore cautions members of the public, bloggers and online publishers against the dissemination of unverified, exaggerated or operationally sensitive information capable of misleading the public, causing panic or undermining active security operations,” the statement added.
Ayanlade warned that the command would not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law against anyone found deliberately spreading false information, interfering with investigations or attempting to obstruct ongoing security operations.
He urged residents to rely strictly on official communication channels for verified information on the case and other security-related developments.
The police spokesperson reiterated the command’s commitment to ensuring that all those involved in the crime are identified, arrested and brought to justice in accordance with the law.
