Kaduna residents bemoan motorcycle ban, police’s extortion

Following new security measures imposed by the Kaduna State government banning the use of public and private motorcycles in the state, violators of the ban accuse police officers of extortion. Daily Trust on Sunday digs into the allegation of extortion by security men enforcing the ban.     Ibrahim Mai Turare, a resident of Danbushiya […]

Following new security measures imposed by the Kaduna State government banning the use of public and private motorcycles in the state, violators of the ban accuse police officers of extortion. Daily Trust on Sunday digs into the allegation of extortion by security men enforcing the ban.  

 

Ibrahim Mai Turare, a resident of Danbushiya community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State sells perfumes as a means of livelihood. Using his motorcycle to deliver his products to customers within the metropolis, Ibrahim, a family man, said his motorcycle aids his business when it comes to deliveries. However, last Wednesday’s announcement by the Kaduna State government through the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan which banned the use of commercial and private motorcycles across the state has complicated his life. He now treks for hours to deliver his perfumes to his customers in different parts of the metropolis and yet, hardly meet their demands. The alternative for him is to use commercial tricycle which he said has become difficult as people spend hours waiting on the main road. “Since the announcement, I have not been myself because it’s difficult to move around the city without motorcycle and I have no choice but to drop my motorcycle for fear of being arrested by security agents,” he said. 

 

Ibrahim is not the only person lamenting as many users of motorcycles across the state told Daily Trust on Sunday that they have found themselves in difficult situation where they either have to face the transportation hardship or violate it. Motorcyclists say the major obstacle since the ban has been avoiding traps set out by law enforcement agents who extort violators when caught. Those enforcing the ban are mostly policemen, Kaduna State Vigilantes Services, Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Authority as well as Civilian JTF members. However, violators who spoke to our correspondent alleged that most of the extortion is done by members of Kaduna Vigilante Service and the Police who stop, intimidate violators and later release them when money exchanges hands. Our correspondent also gathered that violators who do not readily ‘cooperate’ and allow their motorcycles to be moved to the police stations are made to pay a higher price.

Daily Trust on Sunday gathered from some commercial and private motorcycle users who violated the state government’s ban that policemen enforcing the law usually demand between N5,000 and N10,000 from violators to regain their motorcycles. A private motorcycle owner who didn’t want his name mentioned said the police charged between N5,000-10,000 around Rigasa community before releasing arrested motorcycles. He said enforcement around the area mostly takes place at night.

Abdullahi Adamu, a motorcycle user, said he no longer uses his motorcycle to avoid police arrest, adding that he now closes from work early to enable him reach home before night. While residents groan over the ban which the Governor Nasir El-Rufai government says is a measure aimed at curbing the activities of bandits terrorizing innocent residents in the state, policemen and other law enforcement agents are said to be making brisk business from violators.

Musa, a tricycle operator, said his brother’s motorcycle was seized for violating the ban and the police fined him. “As we speak, the motorcycle is still with the police because we are trying to negotiate to see if the fine can be reduced,” he said.

Idris Bello, who sells provisions in Tudun Wada, said two of his bread vendors were arrested by the police, adding that one of them had paid N3,000 and the other N5,000 to recover their seized motorcycles.

While speaking on the issue, the Secretary of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle, Tricycle and Riders of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), Idris Mohammed, confirmed to Daily Trust on Sunday that many of their members are being extorted by security agents. Mohammed said some days back, policemen had moved around the city evacuating motorcycles parked at the premises of Mosques. He described the action as not only wrong but contrary to the new ban order which states that motorcycle can only be confiscated when moving on the road and not when parked.

“People are being harassed and intimidated as well as being extorted by some of the security men enforcing the ban. Maybe the senior officers are not away of what is happening which is why they need to monitor those working on the field,” he said. The secretary also urged the state government to review the time for tricycle operators from 7pm to at least 9pm or 10pm to ease transportation difficulties faced by the masses.

Confirming the development, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said he had received reports that some security agents enforcing the law have been extorting defaulters but warned against what he described as injustice.

The commissioner, who stated this during a radio programme in Kaduna, warned security personnel against violating the ban on motorcycle. Aruwan said: “We are investigating it and whoever is found wanting will face the wrath of the law.” He urged residents to support the state government’s measures because they are aimed at ending banditry in the state.

When asked if the Kaduna State Police Command was aware of the role of some police officer, the command warned its personnel against extorting defaulters and stressed that only the courts can fine those arrested. The Kaduna State Police Public Relations officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige, who gave the warning said: “We have sent signals to all DPOs to give us the number of impounded motorcycles that were arrested for violating the ban and the number of tricycles arrested in their divisions. It’s only the court that will decide how much the defaulters will pay as fine not the police,” he said.

Jalige said any personnel caught extorting motorcyclists will be punished, urging members of the public to report any police man who asks them to pay money. He also assured the people of their safety and that of their properties, saying the Commissioner of Police has warned officers to be fully above board while carrying out the enforcement, as there will be severe consequences for misconducts that will be meted to anyone found wanting.