By Callistus Agwaza in Jalingo
The Taraba State governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has constituted a committee to enforce the ban on commercial motorcycles, popularly known as “Okada” operating in Jalingo, the state capital.
Operators of Tricycles have also been restricted from 6am to 8pm.
Motorcycles and tricycles have become popular means of transportation in cities and towns in Nigerian, however, some of them have become security threats as a result of their involvement in criminal activities.
In a statement on Monday by the Secretary of the Taraba state security committee, Koku Agbu Koku, the ban was part of steps aimed at addressing the security challenges in Jalingo.
Koku said the enforcement of the ban will take immediate effect, warning that offenders will be prosecuted instantly by mobile courts.
“This is to inform the general public that following the emergency security meeting His Excellency, Dr Agbu Kefas, represented by the Deputy Governor His Excellency Alhaji Aminu Abdullahi Alkali has constituted a Taskforce Committee on the total ban on motorcycle (okada) and control of Tricycle (Keke) in Jalingo the State Capital”, the statement said.
It added that members of the committee include, the state Commissioner of Police as Chairman, while representatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Taraba Marshal and chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state.
A representative of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) will serve as the secretary of the committee.
Koku warned that, “Effective 22nd February, 2024, the use of Motorcycles of any kind, are completely banned, while the operations of tricycles are restricted from 6am to 8pm.
“Defaulters will be arrested and tried by the Mobile Court and motorcycles and tricycles will be confiscated and destroyed.
“These measures are as the result of the sudden spike in the activities of criminals in Jalingo, the state capital”.
