The Nigerian Army on Sunday announced ban on the use of motorcycles 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.
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 NA as concerted efforts are being made to
combat the insecurity menace ongoing within the area.”