Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has directed the immediate ban on the sales of motorcycles across the state.
The move is following the incessant security challenges in some parts of the state and the demands of motorcycles as ransom by bandits and kidnappers.
The governor in a statement issued by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, revealed that the category of motorcycles affected by the ban include any motorcycles such as Bajaj, Boxer, Qiujeng, Honda ACE, Jingchen, among others with engine capacity from 185 Cubic Centimetres (cc) and above remained banned from selling to the public in the state.
The SSG explained, “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.
“Government has condemned in strong terms the degree of carnage and pandemonium bandits and kidnappers are causing to some parts of the State and reiterates its continued determination to rid the State of any security threat.”
Matane stated that government is aware of the inconveniences the measure would cause the people, but noted the decision was taken in the overall interest of the State.
The statement appealed to the dealers of motorcycles across the State to cooperate with the directive.
It also appealed to the people of the State to cooperate with the security agencies on the security measures being put in place, adding that, ” it is for the benefit of all and sundry to put an end to the activities of some criminal elements”.
Furthermore, the statement reaffirmed that the activities of commercial motorcycle riders popularly known as Okada or Kabu-kabu and operation of illegal garages remained 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 in force.
