The Governor, who announced the ban to newsmen on Tuesday afternoon after the weekly security meeting, said the ban is limited to the three local Government areas which make up Benin City including Ikpoba Okha, Oredo and Egor Local Government Areas.

Governor Oshiomhole said it is now increasingly evident that many of the kidnappers in the state are Okada riders.

He said that the state has become a haven for criminals and other Okada riders who migrated to Edo State following similar ban in other states.

The Governor appealed to the Okada riders to bear with the government as they were compelled to make this decision.

The Governor also said that the security agencies have resolved to commence random checks of the private security personnel employed by residents in the state to determine if they are Nigerians and have valid papers to reside here as it has been discovered that they have largely been the informants in cases of kidnapping.

He advised residents of the state to properly scrutinize those they employ as helps and security personnel.

Alxmyr: But Oshio baba can do that some other time. Why ground the okadas now? This is political intimidation to oppress those that are in the opposition.

Evestar200: F.G shld just come out and ban okada out of nigeria,,instead of one state banning 2day and another state come out to ban 2mrrw,,letting poor man to hv attack

baby_123: Its better jare, let them go and enter skills acquisition center. Benin has a large population of artisans. Let them go and learn a trade. Okada is terrible. He can give the indegines loan to buy keke na pep. Or give them casual/manual labor opportunity like Fashola is doing for the ones working on the rail line in Lagos.

SouthernGuy: How una want make this abokis live na ?

thelastPope:

Most Okada riders in Edo state are old men and pensioniers, not young boys. The average Benin boy will not ride okada. They are too proud to do that. Most of you dont have a clue how these things work. You should ask questions first.

baby_123:

A grandpa recently graduated from university. So what is your point? Learning does not end at any age. The governor has banned Okada. I know this is your party strategy, so i wont argue with you. If ACN says the sky is blue, you will kuku shout white. Lastpope, lastpope, lastpope! I have been to Benin, and your assertion that they are mostly old men is wrong.

Pvt. Parts:
Why won't he?

When he has a helicopter packed at state house waiting to pick him up to any where which has been fully paid by tax payer's money.

The problem with the black man is how he easily forgot where he came from and the total lack of empathy to his fellow man.

thelastPope:

You are a liar. Where do you know in Benin? If you know Benin, then you will know the average Benin boy will not want to ride Okada. Benin people are very proud people. So many of the okada riders are elderly people above 50 years. You that has never gone past ore, claiming you know Benin