Mixed feelings as okada returns to Yobe after 10 years

‘Suspension of ban political’ ‘It will advance cause of agriculture, employment’ ‘Gov’t must regulate their operations’ In January, 2012, then Governor of Yobe State, Ibrahim Gaidam, slammed a ban on commercial motorcycles popularly referred to as okada or achaba aimed at forestalling the riders’ tendency to use them to perpetrate insecurity, especially during the peak […]

• ‘Suspension of ban political’

• ‘It will advance cause of agriculture, employment’

• ‘Gov’t must regulate their operations’

In January, 2012, then Governor of Yobe State, Ibrahim Gaidam, slammed a ban on commercial motorcycles popularly referred to as okada or achaba aimed at forestalling the riders’ tendency to use them to perpetrate insecurity, especially during the peak of the Boko Haram crisis in the state.   

But the incumbent Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has lifted the ban. The announcement was greeted with jubilation, especially among motorcycle users.

However, our correspondent gathered that the ban has been lifted in 10 of the 17 local government areas (LGAs) of the state.  

The governor, while explaining the rationale behind the suspension which he announced in Nguru LGA during a recent visit, said it was in view of “significant improvement of the insecurity situation in the affected areas within the state.”

He added that the lifting of the ban would also allow people in rural areas easy access to their farms, markets and other legitimate businesses with the use of motorcycles.

But mixed feelings have trailed the move as it has received kudos and knocks from the people of the state. While some people are jubilating over the benefits that the return of motorcycles would offer, others believe that the suspension of the ban is political; with a claim that since cars are more expensive, government might use motorcycles during the forthcoming election campaigns, while thousands of them might be bought for their political followers to generate revenue.

In a chat with our correspondent, residents told tales of how insurgents used motorcycles to unleash terror on communities and escaped through the bushes and narrow routes which made it difficult for security personnel to trace their movements.

Others expressed delight at the return of motorcycles and cited their numerous advantages.

Ajiya Maina Modu, a traditional ruler in one of the affected villages, told our correspondent how rural dwellers welcomed the development.

He said the ban affected agricultural productivity and commercial activities. 

“People use motorcycles because of affordability in terms of maintenance and low fuel consumption. They are also very flexible on our terrain. For instance, with two litres of fuel one can travel up to 50 kilometres to and from or even more without any challenge. Also, motorcycles can ply roads that cars can’t,” he said.

“Farmer/herder crises increased over the period. This was because as traditional rulers we found it difficult to locate clash points. Motorcycles were the only simple means we could use. We thank his excellency for this foresight and we would promote good use of them and improve on our farming and business activities,” he added.

Abdullahi Gashua, a motorcycle mechanic, said thousands of mechanics lost their jobs following the ban. 

According to him, he earned between N3,000 and 5,000 daily from motorcycle repair and sale of spare parts before the ban.

“Some of us were lucky to have easily transited from motorcycle repair business to repair of tricycles, while others began repair of generators. So, with the lifting of the ban. We are ever ready to add them up with our existing jobs,” he said.

Other residents, however, expressed dismay on the return of motorcycles.

A security analyst, Ali Usman, recalled that a lot of security agencies were attacked at their places of duty by the insurgents using motorcycles.

Usman explained that before the ban was issued it was difficult to differentiate between insurgents and harmless citizens because they were both using motorcycles.

He said whenever an attack was carried out the insurgents would quickly run away from the scene before security men appeared because they were using motorcycles. 

He, therefore, advised that now that the ban had been lifted government should strategise and strictly monitor operations to avoid undue use by motorcyclists.

Meanwhile, the Security Adviser to Gov Buni, Brig Gen Dahiru Abdulsalam (Rtd), in a statement, gave instructions regarding the new measure. 

Gen Abdulsalam noted that motorcycle operators should operate between 6am and 6pm daily and should not convey passengers either on private or commercial basis; only a rider is allowed on a motorcycle. 

He also recommended proper registration; licensing and documentation of all motorcycles and riders in the affected LGAs by the Yobe State Road Traffic Management Agency (YOROTA).

The statement reads in part: “There should be no inter-local government area movement with motorbikes, and anyone found violating this rule should be appropriately sanctioned.” 

He, therefore, called on all security agencies to monitor and ensure strict compliance with the directives.

Mr Abdullahi Kaigama, a lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, said government should allow the use of motorcycles only where they were seriously needed.

Mr Kaigama expressed fear that the insurgents might still take advantage of the motorcycles and attack the local population.

“I think they took this decision to their advantage. Since cars are becoming more expensive, they may use the motorcycles and distribute them during their forthcoming campaigns. Thousands of motorcycles may be bought for their political followers and possibly generate revenue to the state government through road traffic agencies,” he said.

Kaigama also expressed worry that the return of motorcycles might lead to massive accidents and criminal activities in both rural and urban areas if adequate precautionary measures were not taken.

Hassan Anchinai, a resident of Potiskum LGA, however, commended Gov Buni for giving the masses another opportunity to use motorcycles in two senatorial districts of the state, including his home town, Potiskum.

He expressed delight that the measure was timely and essential as it would, to some extent, solve unemployment problem facing the teeming youths.

He said there would be investment in buying and selling, mechanical and electrical works, as well as delivery of motorcycle spare parts.

He, therefore, called on the motorcycle riders to ride with caution and avoid high speed as some road crashes had been due to reckless riding.

Our correspondent who visited six out of the 10 LGAs where the ban has been lifted, observed that only few motorcycles had returned to the streets.

One of the motorcyclists, Audu Lawan, said majority of the riders sold their motorcycles cheaply because they lost hope that they might not be recalled.

He said some of the operators had switched over to tricycles and car transport.

Lawan said that the prices of motorcycles had tripled its value, compared to 10 years ago when many people could not afford them.