Bandits in Trouble As Niger Government Bans Sale of Motorcycles, Gives Strong Warning

• The Niger state government has banned the sale of motorcycles in the state to curb incessant banditry and kidnapping
• This was made known on Saturday, November 20, by the Secretary to the State Government, Ahmed Ibrahim Matane
• Matane also appealed to the people of the state to cooperate with the security agencies on the security measures being put in place

Minna, Niger - In its efforts to curb the bandit activities in its state, the Niger state government has outlawed the sale of motorcycles throughout the state.

This Day reports that this was made known government statement on Saturday, November 20, in Minna, the capital of the state.

Legit.ng gathered that the government said the order is with immediate effect.

The statement gave the categories of motorcycles affected by the ban to include Bajaj, Boxer, Qiujeng, Honda ACE, Jingchen and those which engine capacities are 185 cubic centimetres (cc) and above.

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In the same vein, the government restated its policy banning the use of motorcycles for commercial purposes and the operation of illegal garages and motor parks in Minna metropolis and environs.

The statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, said the government rolled out the additional measure to eradicate the activities of criminals and the unleashing of mayhem by bandits and kidnappers on innocent citizens in the state.

He said:

"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.

“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 therefore appealed to the dealers of motorcycles across the state to cooperate with the directive."

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He also appealed to the people of the state to cooperate with the security agencies on the security measures being put in place, so as to put an end to the activities of some criminal elements as it is for the benefit of all and sundry.

Matane said the government has also ordered security agencies in the state to ensure effective and strict compliance/enforcement of this directive.

The state government had earlier in the year restricted the movements of all motorcycles from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am and the restriction order is still in force.

Buhari condemns Sokoto killings, says bandits are living in a fool's paradise

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, November 16, warned bandits against thinking that they cannot be crushed.

It was reported Buhari made the remark in South Africa in reaction to the killing of 15 people by bandits in Goronyo and Illela local government areas of Sokoto state.

The president said his regime will not abandon Nigerians to their fate in the face of the existential challenge caused by banditry.

Source: Legit.ng