The Nigerian Army on Sunday announced ban on the use of motorcycles, also popularly known as ‘Okada’, in the North West region.
It said the ban under exercise HARBIN KUNAMA which seeks to wipe out banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities in the zone, affects Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kastina, Sokoto, Zamfara and Niger states.
The Army said it would not tolerate the use of motorcycles within the hinterland, particularly around the forests where the armed bandits and kidnappers hibernate.
It called on the government of the affected states to enforce the order in their respective states in conjunction with the security agencies.
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Acting spokesman, Colonel Sagir Musa, in a statement said: “The Nigerian Army over time has observed the use of motorcycles by armed bandits, kidnappers, criminal elements and their collaborators as enablers to perpetrate their heinous crimes especially in the states within the north-west geopolitical zone of the country.
“This informed the decision and directive to ban the use of motorcycles within the hinterland particularly around the forests where the armed bandits, criminals and kidnappers hibernate and all around where troops are conducting operations alongside other security agencies.
“While this may cause some inconveniences to some law-abiding citizens in the area, the need to use all means possible to stop the dastardly activities of these bandits across the North West part of Nigeria needs no emphasis.
“The general public, particularly in the North West and some parts of North Central in Nigeria where Exercise HARBIN KUNAMA is ongoing are enjoined to bear with the Nigerian Army as concerted efforts are being made to combat the insecurity menace ongoing within the area.”
