By Abubakar Akote Yabagi
The Chairman of Lapai Local Government Council of Niger, Abdullahi Umar-Evuti, has ordered the profiling of okada riders in the area in order to tackle insecurity.
Umar-Evuti told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lapai on Tuesday that the decision was necessitated by the growing population in the area and the need to tackle insecurity.
According to him, the security measure will ensure the safety of residents and students who rely on okada, particularly with the establishment of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University in Lapai.
The chairman said there had been cases of criminals disguising as okada riders, adding that they had become security threats to genuine operators and residents.
“Profiling helps us identify genuine riders, reduce anonymity and support law enforcement in tackling crime.
“It also protects the riders themselves as some criminals often disguise themselves as operators.
” Our intention is to deploy digital means to create a safer, more organised and trusted transport system for everyone,” he said.
Umar-Evuti also said he had reintroduced weekly sanitation exercises in the local government area to check outbreak of diseases.
He explained that the decision followed a recent outbreak of gastroenteritis in the five communities of Dangana, Aliso, Sonfada, Eminuku and Saminaka.
The outbreak, he said, was between August and September 2025.
“At the time I assumed office in December 2025, the case file was on my table.
“This initiative is part of our commitment to public health and a cleaner environment.
” We believe a clean local government area directly improves the well-being of our people.
“Beyond cleanliness, it is also about restoring civic responsibility and preventing avoidable diseases,” he said.
Umar-Evuti added that enforcement of the exercise was being carried out with the support of environmental officers, security agencies and community actors such as artisans, religious leaders and the Emirate Council.
“Compliance has been encouraging so far. We are yet to begin imposing fines as we are allowing residents time to adapt,” he said.
He added that the council’s focus for now was on awareness and building a lasting culture of cleanliness.
Umar-Evuti, however, said his administration had begun discussions with the Niger State Environmental Protection Agency with a view to introducing fines and sanctions for defaulters.
Edited by Mufutau Ojo
