Soldiers not affected by Lagos ban on motorcycles, says spokesman.

The Nigeria Army has said soldiers are not affected by the law banning motorcycles from operating on highways in the state.

Army Public Relations Officer, 81 Division, Lt-Col. Kayode Ogunsanya said soldiers in uniform, riding motorcycles, had been given a waiver.

Ogunsanya however, said soldiers riding motorcycles were not permitted under the law to carry more than one person or refuse to use the right crash helmet.

Lagos State Government had on Sept. 1 prohibited motorcycles okada from operating on expressways, Lagos Island, Victoria Island and Ikoyi.

They were also barred from plying Funso Williams Avenue-Eko bridge-Apongbon, Murtala Muhammed Way Fadeyi-Yaba-Oyingbo-Idumota, third Mainland Bridge and network of roads around the state secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.

Ogunsanya said Any soldier in uniform with proof of ownership of the motorcycle has been given permission to move about without restriction in Lagos.

According to him, the soldiers are given loans to purchase motorcycles to ease their movement while performing their official duties.

Ogunsanya said the waiver was a national decision aimed at reducing the use of commercial buses by soldiers.

Soldiers are usually embarrassed by commercial bus drivers because of the silent law on non-payment of transport fares by officers in uniform.