Lagos State Task Force in collaboration with the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), on Tuesday arrested 72 motorcyclists and impounded 196 motorcycles for allegedly contravening traffic laws.

Chairman of the task force, SP Olayinka Egbeyemi, who confirmed the seizures to newsmen in Lagos, said the offenders would be arraigned before a Mobile Court, Oshodi.

Egbeyemi said the enforcement was jointly carried out based on series of complaints from innocent members of the public on criminal activities allegedly perpetuated by motorcyclists in the state.

He said they were arrested around 2nd Rainbow, Festac and Mile 2 areas adding that investigation by the task force revealed that criminal activities of these motorcyclists were on the increased.

“They terrorized innocent members of the public both day and night by dispossessing them of their valuables such as phone, jewelries and bags.

“Investigation further revealed that these motorcyclists around these areas were responsible for series of attack on motorists whenever there is traffic at night around Mile 2 Bridge towards Festac.

The chairman advised motorcyclists’ association to properly screen out criminals among their members and educate others to stop plying any of the restricted 475 routes including highways and bridges across the state.

“Private power bike (200cc above) operators, particularly corporate bodies should warn their dispatch riders to stop engaging in illegal commercial activities,” Egbeyemi added.

According to him, anyone caught violating any sections of the Lagos State Road Traffic Laws of 2012 would be prosecuted.