The Gombe State Police Command and the family of one Rabi’u Gidado have given different versions of an incident that occurred on Monday night, August 18, 2025, at Malam Inna/Idi Quarters, Gombe, during the enforcement of the state’s restriction on motorcycle movement.
According to a press release issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Buhari Abdullahi, the incident happened at about 10:30 p.m. when Rabi’u Gidado, riding a Haojue Lucky motorcycle alone, attempted to evade a police checkpoint. The Police explained that in the process, he lost control of the motorcycle, fell, and sustained injuries on his lower limb.
The Police further stressed that contrary to social media reports, Rabi’u was not with a pregnant wife at the time, as he is unmarried, and that his injuries were not severe. The Command described the viral reports as “false and misleading,” warning that such narratives could incite unnecessary tension.
However, in an interview with DAYLIGHT REPORTERS, Muhammad Gidado, elder brother to the victim, offered a slightly different account.
He confirmed that his brother sustained injuries on his waist and hand during the incident and was rushed to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, where he was responding to treatment and might soon be discharged.
While acknowledging that his brother was not married and was not with any pregnant woman, Muhammad noted that eyewitnesses told him the clash involved security personnel. He added that community members, not the police, rushed his brother to the hospital.
Muhammad also praised one police officer who showed concern and kept checking on his brother’s condition, but he expressed worry that some officers might be misusing the motorcycle restriction law.
“We are not saying the government should remove the law, but authorities must ensure that the right officers are deployed for such operations. Some misuse the law and end up harassing innocent citizens. It is only a court that has the right to punish someone, not officers on the street,” he said.
The Gidado family has therefore appealed to the Gombe State Government to review the enforcement approach to ensure fairness and professionalism.
Meanwhile, the Police Command said investigations are ongoing and assured that further developments will be made public.
This incident comes just days after a separate tragedy where a tricyclist reportedly knocked down and killed a police inspector enforcing the same restriction, highlighting the growing tension around the policy.