Niger govt bans motorbikes in state

Glory Ebomah

The Niger State governor, Abubakar Bello banned the sales of motorbikes in the state.

The ban is as a result of frequent insecurity in some parts of Niger State, especially as bandits and kidnappers now demand motorbikes as ransom.

A statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ahmed Matane noted that the category of motorcycles affected by the ban are any Bajaj, Boxer, Qiujeng, Honda ACE, Jingchen, among others with engine capacity from 185 cubic centimetres (cc) and above remain banned from selling to the public.

The SSG further explained that the state government rolled out this additional measure, which is aimed at eradicating the activities of criminals and the unleashing of mayhem by bandits and kidnappers on innocent citizens in the state.

He stated that the government condemned in strong terms the degree of carnage and pandemonium bandits and kidnappers are causing to 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 motorbikes across the state to cooperate with the directive.”

Matane 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, as it is for the benefit of all and sundry.

The SSG noted that the government has also ordered security agencies to ensure effective and strict compliance/enforcement of the directive.

In the same vein, the SSG has reaffirmed that the activities of commercial motorbike riders popularly known as Okada or Kabu-Kabu and operation of illegal garages remain banned in Minna metropolis 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.