The Abia State Government has urged residents to cooperate with authorities enforcing the ban on commercial motorcycle operations in designated parts of Umuahia, Aba and Ohafia.
The appeal was made by the Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, in a statement issued on Sunday announcing the official commencement of the enforcement exercise.
The government acknowledged that many residents rely on commercial motorcycle operations for their livelihood, but stressed that the policy was introduced to improve security and ensure the safety of lives and property.
According to the state government, the decision was taken in the overall interest of the public and would be implemented fairly and professionally.
It also announced a reduction in the penalty for violators, stating that offenders would now pay a fine of N20,000 instead of the earlier proposed N50,000.
Under the new policy, all private and commercial motorcycles, as well as tricycles (popularly known as Keke), must be registered and properly documented.
The government further clarified that private motorcycle owners are prohibited from carrying passengers.
It added that motorcycles seized by law enforcement agencies would be released to their owners once they complete registration, verification, documentation and other required legal processes.
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The state government also encouraged residents to report any cases of extortion, abuse or misconduct by members of the enforcement task force through the designated official phone lines.
The ban on commercial motorcycle operations in parts of Abia State is part of the state government’s broader effort to tackle rising security concerns, traffic congestion and criminal activities often linked to unregulated motorcycle transport.
In recent years, many Nigerian states, including Lagos State and Rivers State, have imposed similar restrictions in urban centres, citing cases of robbery, hit-and-run incidents and the use of motorcycles for quick escapes by criminals.
The Abia State Government had earlier announced plans to restrict commercial motorcycle activities in major cities like Umuahia, Aba and Ohafia as part of efforts to improve urban order and strengthen security monitoring.
The policy, however, has generated mixed reactions, with many operators expressing concern over the impact on their livelihoods, while the government maintains that the measure is necessary for public safety and better regulation of transportation within the state.
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