Benue Government Places Restriction On Commercial Motorcycles

The Benue State Security Council has restricted the operations of commercial motorcycles, also known as Okada, to only operate from 6 am to 8 pm everyday until further notice. 

The security council took the decision at its emergency meeting held on Wednesday in Makurdi, the state capital.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Governor Ortom stated however that the earlier outright ban on the use of motorcycles in the Sankera geopolitical zone comprising Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum is still in place.

He said the decision followed the recent security alarm raised by the Nasarawa State government and what is happening in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and other parts of the country.

The Governor emphasised that the decision to restrict the activities of commercial motorcycles was aimed at nipping in the bud the resurgence of criminal elements suspected to be moving into the state.

The Governor stated that security agencies in the state have been mandated to enforce the new regulations, saying stiff penalties such as arrest and prosecution awaits anyone found flouting the order.

The security council also resolved that all heavy-duty vehicles coming into the state, with covered tarpaulins would be searched at designated checkpoints along routes in and out of the state with the contents thoroughly checked before allowed to pass.

It was further disclosed that the 500 personnel of the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards, which will be formally launched on Thursday, August 4, 2022, to complement conventional security agencies in the state have been trained and kitted with an additional five hundred expected to begin training next week.

The Governor who said the Community Volunteer Guards would work with the traditional rulers and other security agencies in fighting crime expressed optimism that being members of the communities, it would be easier for them to fish out criminals.

Governor Ortom noted that the Security Council also approved a committee headed by the SSG, Professor Tony Ijohor to work towards regulating the activities of miners, which he said have been causing environmental hazards.

Other members of the committee include the Commissioner for Lands and Solid Minerals, Hon. Bernard Unenge, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Micheal Gusah and Adviser on Mining, Andrew Kputu as well as the chairmen and second class chiefs of Gboko, Kwande, Ogbadibo and Logo as members.