Niger State government says the reign of kidnap-for-ransom and terror in the State may soon be over following Governor Abubakar Sani Bello’s ban on the sale of motorcycles, popularly known as Okada or Achaba.
The prohibition was disclosed in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Ahmed Matane, yesterday in Minna, the State capital.
Matane stated that the ban resulted from incessant security challenges in some parts of the State, adding that the ban was also informed by the fact that bandits and kidnappers now demand motorcycles as ransom.
He further explained that the ban covered the sale of “any motorcycle (Bajaj, Boxer, Qiujeng, Honda ACE, Jingchen) with engine capacity from 185 Cubic Centimetres (cc) and above”.
Matane stated also that the measure was aimed at eradicating the activities of criminals, bandits and kidnappers who unleashed mayhem on innocent citizens.
He condemned the degree of carnage and pandemonium bandits and kidnappers caused in parts of the state and reiterated its continued determination to rid the state of security threats.
He also stated that the government had ordered security agencies in the State to ensure effective and strict compliance and enforcement of the directive.
Matane added that the government was aware of the inconveniences the measure would cause the people, but the decision was taken in the overall interest of the state.
The SSG also urged the citizens to cooperate with security agencies on the security measures being put in place to put an end to activities of criminal elements.
Matane reaffirmed that commercial motorcycling and the operation of illegal garages remained banned in Minna and its environs.
