The Niger State Government has explained that its recent decision to impose restrictions on the use of commercial motorcycles and tricycles in Minna is a necessary response to rising insecurity in the state capital.
In a statement released Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Print Media, Aisha Wakaso, the government said the curfew — which prohibits motorcycle and tricycle operations from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. — was introduced to curb the activities of violent groups threatening public safety.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, according to the statement, is deeply aware of the difficulties this policy may pose to law-abiding residents but insists that it is a necessary move to protect lives and restore peace.
“In the past week, we have recorded multiple attacks by violent youth groups, some of which have resulted in loss of lives. These criminals, mostly between the ages of 13 and 22, use motorcycles and tricycles to navigate the city quickly, making arrests extremely difficult,” Wakaso explained.
She noted that the ease of movement has enabled these groups to commit crimes and escape within minutes, turning Minna into a hotspot of mobile criminal activity.
“To disrupt their operations and bring back sanity to our communities, we had no option but to implement this restriction. It is not meant to punish hardworking citizens but to protect them,” she added.
The government also observed that some of these criminal elements now identify themselves through a particular hairstyle — dreadlocks in front with the back of the head shaved — which security agents have been advised to watch closely.
“This is not to stereotype anyone based on appearance but to act on emerging intelligence. It is a preventive measure, not a blanket judgment,” the statement stressed.
The government has appealed to all residents to cooperate with security agencies and comply with the directive, assuring that the policy will be reviewed once the situation improves.
“Public safety remains our top priority, and we are confident that with the support of all stakeholders, we will overcome this challenge,” Wakaso concluded.