The Niger State Government has imposed a curfew from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on commercial tricycle and motorcycle riders due to rising insecurity in Minna, the state capital.
It was gathered that over 20 youths were arrested following violent unrest that resulted in the breakdown of law and order in the city. It was further gathered that most of the arrested youths were riding motorcycles and tricycles.
PUNCH Online reports that tricycles and motorcycles are the major means of commercial transportation in the state, while vehicles primarily ply interstate routes.
The state governor, Mohammed Bago, announced the curfew on Tuesday, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Bologi Ibrahim. The governor stated that the curfew became necessary to stem the tide of insecurity in the city.
He also warned district, village, and ward heads to ensure proper documentation of people they harbour in their domains, noting that any house found to be harbouring criminals would be demolished, and buildings where hard drugs are sold would also be destroyed.
“Niger State Government has suspended the movement of commercial motorcycle and tricycle riders from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in Minna, the state capital.
“Governor Umaru Bago made this public at a critical stakeholders’ security meeting held at the Government House with traditional title holders in Minna Emirate and heads of security agencies”, the statement read.
Bago, who announced an exemption for medical emergencies, described the measure as temporary and aimed at addressing the growing security challenges in the state capital.
“The governor disclosed that he will not stand by and watch criminals continue to perpetrate evil, adding that it is the responsibility of every government to ensure the security of the lives and property of its citizens.”
He also warned district, village, and ward heads to ensure proper documentation of people they harbour in their domains, explaining that any house found to be harbouring criminals will be demolished, while buildings where hard drugs are sold will also be destroyed.
“The governor called on the entire security apparatus of the state to ensure they clamp down on criminals, their hideouts, and their cartels,” the statement continued.
Bago also cautioned parents to warn their children, stating that anyone caught engaging in any violent activity would be arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. He reaffirmed the state’s zero-tolerance policy on thuggery and lawlessness.
“He described governance as a collective responsibility and thereafter called on all stakeholders to come together to ensure that insecurity is tackled”, the governor added.
Meanwhile, the Niger Police Command spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun, when contacted on Tuesday, did not respond to inquiries regarding the youths arrested over the unrest.
