Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has explained that the recent curfew imposed on the movement of motorcycles and tricycles in Minna is a proactive step to stem rising violence and insecurity in the state capital.
The governor had on Tuesday announced a dusk-to-dawn curfew on motorcyclists and tricyclists in the metropolis.In a statement on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Print Media, Aisha Wakaso., Bago explained that the move was not to punish law-abiding residents but a drastic measure to stem rising violence in the city.He noted that Minna has in recent days witnessed alarming incidents of violence, resulting in the loss of several lives, largely attributed to the activities of miscreants.Bago emphasised that the curfew is not designed to punish law-abiding residents but to disrupt the operations of criminal elements exploiting motorcycles and tricycles—popularly known as keke NAPEP—to commit crimes and evade arrest.“
The Niger State Government has reassured citizens that the recently imposed curfew on motorcycles and tricycles is not intended to punish law-abiding citizens. Rather, it is a proactive and urgent measure to address the growing insecurity that has afflicted parts of the state capital in recent days,” the statement read. According to the governor, the criminal elements, often aged between 13 and 22, operate in a manner similar to cult groups.They use the mobility afforded by motorcycles and tricycles to swiftly move between different parts of Minna, committing crimes and escaping law enforcement.“If these boys are not restricted, they can carry out criminal activities in one part of town and vanish into another within minutes.
Their swift mobility not only makes arrests difficult but also enables the rapid spread of their operations,” Bago said.He stressed that while the restriction may inconvenience residents and disrupt local commerce, it is a necessary sacrifice to restore peace and safeguard lives and property.“The safety of lives and property remains the topmost priority of this administration,” he affirmed.