Insecurity: Niger State bans sale of commercial motorcycles

Niger state government in North central Nigeria, has directed the immediate ban on the sales of motorcycles across the State.

The directive follows the incessant security challenges in some parts of state, coupled with the demands of motorcycles as ransom by bandits and kidnappers across the state.

A statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane through his spokesperson Lawal Tanko, revealed that the category of motorcycles affected by the ban includes “any motorcycles such as Bajaj, Boxer, Qiujeng, Honda ACE, Jingchen, with engine capacity from 185 Cubic Centimetres ( cc)”

The SSG further explained that the State Government rolled out this measure which is aimed at eradicating the activities of criminals and kidnappers on innocent citizens in the State.

“Government has condemned in strong terms the degree of carnage and pandemonium bandits and kidnappers are causing in some parts of the State and reiterated its continued determination to rid the State of any security threat”.

According to the SSG “Government is aware of the inconveniences the measure would cause the people, but the decision was taken in the overall interest of the State and appealed to the dealers of motorcycles across the State to cooperate with the directive”.

Ahmed Matane who further appealed to the people of the State to cooperate with the security agencies on the security measures being put in place to put an end to the activities of some criminal elements, disclosed that Government has also ordered security agencies in the State to ensure effective and strict compliance/enforcement of this directive.

The Secretary to the Niger State Government has however reaffirmed that the activities of commercial motorcycle riders popularly known as Okada or Kabu-kabu and operation of illegal garages remained banned in Minna the state capital and environs.

It would be recalled that the State Government had earlier restricted the movements of all motorcycles from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am and the restriction order is still enforced.

Emmanuel Ukoh