From SAMSON ALFA, Minna
Niger State government has reassured citizens that the recently imposed curfew on motorcycles and tricycles was not intended to punish law abiding citizens..
A statement signed by the Special Adviser on Print Media to Governor Umar Bago, Aisha Wakaso said the measure was taken to address the growing insecurity that is affecting parts of the state capital.
Wakaso explained that Governor Bago understands the challenges faced by citizens as a result of the ban on commercial trycles and motorcycles. “This is a temporary measure which may pose difficulties to hardworking Nigelites”.
The special adviser said though the safety of lives and property remains the topmost priority of this administration, it should not be viewed as a means to cause discomfort to their welfare.
“Over the past six days, we have witnessed disturbing incidents of violence, with several lives lost to attacks by miscreants operating within Minna”.
Wakaso disclosed that these groups are made up of young boys between the ages of 13 and 22, who have exploited the ease of movement provided by motorcycles and tricycles to commit crimes across various parts of Minna and evade arrest.
According to her, government in a bid to disrupt these activities imposed the curfew, even though we understand that this will affect movement and commercial activities, it is a necessary sacrifice to restore sanity and protect the lives of our people.
“We have also observed a disturbing trend among these groups, many of them wear dreadlocks in front while the back of their head is shaved. This style has increasingly become associated with members of these disruptive groups.
“Security agencies have been advised to closely monitor individuals with this distinct look. It is not a blanket criminalisation of a hairstyle, but a preventive measure informed by intelligence and ongoing trends, with a view to dismantle the formation and spread of these emerging groups before they become deeply entrenched.”
