ViewPointNigeria has authoritatively gathered that the Kaduna State Government is tinkering with the idea of banning commercial motorcycles from operating within Kaduna metropolis as a means of combating terrorism. A Government official from the Ministry of Information, stated that “the decision to ban “Okada” was in response of the recent happenings in the country, where gunmen utilise this means of transportation to wreak havoc on innocent citizens”. He averred that the decision was taken following yesterday’s meeting of the State Security Council in Kaduna Government house, which was chaired by the State Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero.

At the meeting, it was discussed that insurgents and terrorists were infiltrating Kaduna State from other Northern states where okada had been banned and that it was imperative for Kaduna state to take swift action to scuttle their activities. Specifically noted, was the fact that there has been a sharp increase in Okada attacks within Kaduna and Zaria cities. 

ViewPointNigeria has authoritatively gathered that the Kaduna State Government is tinkering with the idea of banning commercial motorcycles from operating within Kaduna metropolis as a means of combating terrorism. A Government official from the Ministry of Information, stated that “the decision to ban “Okada” was in response of the recent happenings in the country, where gunmen utilise this means of transportation to wreak havoc on innocent citizens”. He averred that the decision was taken following yesterday’s meeting of the State Security Council in Kaduna Government house, which was chaired by the State Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero.

At the meeting, it was discussed that insurgents and terrorists were infiltrating Kaduna State from other Northern states where okada had been banned and that it was imperative for Kaduna state to take swift action to scuttle their activities. Specifically noted, was the fact that there has been a sharp increase in Okada attacks within Kaduna and Zaria cities. The State Governor was said to have lamented on the poor security situation and therefore sought to put a mechanism in place for beefing up the security within towns. At the time of filing this report, the ban was also being considered for Kafanchan in the Southern senatorial district -a town which has been a hotbed for religious and terrorist attacks in the recent past.

It would be recalled that last week ViewPointNigeria reported the enforcement of a similar ban by Kano State, following the attack on the Emir, HRH. Ado Bayero. With the current enforcement in Kaduna, it would be interesting to see whether the ban would be met by the same resistance and protests as was the case in Jos, Plateau State.

by Augustine Ishaku

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Security Challenges & Terrorism – Kaduna State to ban Okada