The movement of motorcycle operators in Kano northern Nigeria has been confined between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. until after the Christmas period.
The Kano state Commissioner of Police who hinted this to newsmen on Thursday said the action was taken to curb the antics and activities of criminals using motorbikes.
He said the decision was taken at the State Security Council meeting held on Monday November 20
In his words, “the incessant use of motorcycle to attack innocent citizens in the state has made it necessary for the state security council to convene a meeting on Monday 20 November, 2012 and it was resolved that imposition of ban on the use of motorcycles from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m within the state is enforced.
“It is very necessary considering the fact that criminals are using motorcycles to wreak havoc in the state. You are as well aware that almost all the incidents of killings and armed robberies in recent times in Kano state were carried out on motorcycles. We hereby call on motorcycle users to abide by the curfew without any exception. Snap checkpoints have been put in place across the state to check and arrest the violators.”
CP Idris hinted that there would be water-tight security deployment at strategic locations, including places of worship, markets, motor parks, banks, schools, hospitals and other public utilities, infrastructures and offices during the ember period, while urging Kano residents to be security conscious and give maximum cooperation to security agencies, including the police and the Joint Task Force, adding that the use of knock-outs and other fireworks are prohibited.
“Parents and guardians are strictly warned to stop their children from purchasing and using such items as anybody caught will be prosecuted in the Court of Law,” he added, pointing out that there was need for road user to respect all traffic laws and regulations to ensure accident-free festivals.
He lamented the havoc being wreaked by gun men on motor bikes in recent times, noting that on 20 November, police engaged a gang of armed robbers on motorcycles in a gun duel and as a result, one Ahmed Tijjani of no fixed address and Safiyanu Abubakar from Kebbi state were arrested with severe bullet injuries, and recovered one AK47 Riffle and 27 rounds of live ammunition from them.
“They confessed to a series of robbery attacks in Kano, including that of MC PVC Ltd in Sharada Industrial Estate; robberies at Charanchi and Zangon Dakata filling stations; two robberies at Kantin Kwari Market; robberies at Gidan Keji BUK Rd and the one at Sharada Rubber Company They led operatives to their hideouts at Kofar Dawanau and Gaida Quarters whereby the following items were recovered: one bag of high density polythene chemical, four containers of ready-made bombs, and one leather containing sulpur, 20 connecting cables, one Jincheng Motorcycle and other chemical substances,” he stated.
The police boss further hinted that on 19 November, unknown gun men on motorbike armed with pistol attacked some residents at Dakata axis of Kano and made away with a Lifan Motorcycle and three GSM Handsets. The Police, however, arrested Bello Abbas who confessed to have participated in the Dakata robbery and several other robbery attacks at Badawa, including the killing of a police man attached to Dakata Police Division.
Also, on 27 October, police arrested Mohammed Kabiru and Dansabo Ado at Kunar Quarters while going for a robbery operation on a motor bike, and in possession of a Pump Action and 15 rounds of cartridges, “during investigation, it was revealed that they belong to a gang of notorious armed robbers that has been terrorizing innocent people within Kano metropolis. Other members of the gang are being pursued for arrest and further interrogation,” Idris added.
CP Idris charged Kano residents to call the Command’s Control Room in case of emergency, adding that the Public Complain Bureau under the office of the Command’s Public Relations Department and National Human Right Desk are also accessible for complaints on human right violation by the Police.
The phone numbers for the Control Room are 08032419754, 08123821575,
08099831808 and 064977005, while that of the Public Complain Bureau include 08066628450, 08031803555 and 08057959393.