Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State has explained the reason behind the newly imposed restriction on motorcycles and tricycles, saying the decision was made purely for security reasons. Speaking during the launch of Overload Airways at the Bola Tinubu International Airport in Minna, the governor said the move targets growing insecurity in the state capital and is not intended to inconvenience law-abiding residents.
According to the governor, young individuals between the ages of 13 and 22 have been using motorcycles and tricycles to commit crimes and quickly flee from one part of town to another. Their ability to move swiftly has made it difficult for law enforcement to track and arrest offenders. The curfew, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., is intended to disrupt these operations and reduce crime.
Bago pointed out that recent intelligence suggests that some of these groups are developing a shared identity through a distinct hairstyle—dreadlocks in the front with the back of the head shaved. He said this visual pattern has become increasingly common among those suspected of causing unrest and urged security agencies to pay closer attention to individuals displaying this look.
He reassured residents that the measure is a preventive action designed to protect lives and restore order. The governor appealed for public understanding, describing the move as a necessary step toward achieving a safer environment, not a punishment. He added that the decision was based on credible security reports and aimed at stopping the growth of these groups before they become harder to contain.
Governor Bago had earlier announced the ban following a spike in street crime and thuggery across the state.
