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The authorities in Lagos have begun the process of crushing more than 2,000 confiscated motorcycles seized this week as part of the attempts to enforce a ban on motorcycle taxis, known as okadas, in the Nigerian city.

The ban was introduced following last month’s killing by a mob, allegedly made up of motorbike taxi drivers, of Sunday David, a 38-year-old sound engineer in the Lekki area of the city.

It’s not the first time the government has imposed a ban.

In January 2020, the government banned the operation of motorcyclists in 15 local council areas across Lagos. But that stopped being enforced.

Some are sceptical whether this ban will work as the okadas provide a vital service in places not covered by the public transport system.

They are also an important source of employment for many young men in the vast city, where lack of work is a big problem.