The Osun State Police Command has barred commercial motorcyclists in the state from wearing hoods or facemasks.
SP Yemisi Opalola, the Command's Spokesperson, announced this in a statement on Monday in Oshogbo, saying that the step was intended to reduce crime involving motorbikes in the state.
The Osun State Police Command is utilizing this means to advise motorcyclists who use facemasks to hide their heads, faces, and nose, particularly commercial motorcyclists known as "Okada," to quit immediately.
This stern warning is necessary as a result of a succession of allegations received by the police command that criminal-minded Okada riders use the hood to disguise their identities when committing crimes against innocent citizens, especially their passengers, during the night.
The command enjoined the leadership of the Okada Riders Association in the state to warn their members against covering of their heads and faces in any form while riding their motorcycles.
The command has mapped-out strategies to arrest and prosecute anyone found wanting in this regard, Opalola said.
The spokesperson also called on members of the public not to board or engage the service of any commercial motorcyclist with hood/facemasks.