The Gombe state government is planning to ban the operations of the commercial motorcycle commonly known as “Okada” across the state.
This was disclosed by the Governor of the State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya during a media chat on Monday in Gombe.
The Governor stated that the total ban became necessary considering the increasing rate of criminality in various parts of state through the use of Okada.
When asked whether his government will reverse the ban? He replied “If you make a research, you will find out that any place that is faced with security issues, motorcycles has been used by criminals to rob and terrorise innocent citizens.”
“In any place that is faced with security issues such as kidnapping, rape, cattle-snatching and arm robbery, motorcycles are largely used by criminals in carrying out these activities. They used to ride on motorcycles from bush to terrorize people in towns and we are surrounded by bushes from all angles.” He said.
Making his stand clear, the Governor said “The issue of Okada is a national issue, but we will try our best to provide enough tricycles. But I am sure that Okada must be banned in no distant time.”
Recall that the state government had on Monday, April, 27, 2020 announced the ban of Okada operations as an additional measure to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
